Fabrication of porous polymeric structures using a simple sonication technique for tissue engineering

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Porous polymeric scaffolds have been applied successfully in the biomedical field. This work explores the use of an ultrasonic probe to generate cavitation in a polymeric solution, thus producing pores in the polymeric scaffolds. Porous polymeric structures with average pore sizes ranging from 5 to 63 μm and porosity of 6–44% were fabricated by a process consisting of sonication, flash freezing, and lyophilization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), gelatin (GEL), chitosan (CS) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL) solutions. Pore structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image analysis software. The infrared spectra were analyzed before and after the fabrication process to observe any change in the chemical structure of the polymers. A water absorption test indicated the susceptibility of the samples to retain water in their structure. TGA results showed that GEL experienced degradation at 225°C, CS had a decomposition peak at 280°C, the thermal decomposition of PLGA occurred at 375°C, and PVAL showed two degradation regions. The DSC analysis showed that the glass transition temperature (T<jats:sub>g</jats:sub>) of GEL, CS, PLGA and PVAL occurred at 70°C, 80°C, 60°C and 70°C, respectively. The fabricated porous structures demonstrated similar physical characteristics to those found in bone and cartilage.</jats:p>

Effect of microwave and probe sonication processes on sol–gel‐derived bioactive glass and its structural and biocompatible investigations

“…Torres‐Sanchez et al analyzed porosity of the polymeric foams with respect to ultrasonic irradiation. He reported that ultrasonic energies enhance the diffusion which results the superior porosity in the material, similar results were reported earlier by Alvarez‐Suarez et al and Maquet et al This observation illustrates that the bioglass porosity was increased by probe sonication method. Recently, Li et al have shown porous titanium powder with various porosities fine‐tune the structural properties of the material.…”

A Neural Network Approach to Reducing the Costs of Parameter-Setting in the Production of Polyethylene Oxide Nanofibers

“…After this, the samples were placed in a tray, and electron microscope images were acquired from different areas of the samples at different amplification magnitudes. Porosity percentage and average fiber diameter were evaluated using the image analysis software ImageJ 8 (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA), as documented in the study by Álvarez-Suárez et al in 2017 [ 41 ].…”

Preparation of PLGA-PEG/Hydroxyapatite Composites via Simple Methodology of Film Formation and Assessment of Their Structural, Thermal, and Biological Features

“…In addition, a chloroform-based solution of HAP was prepared, subsequently followed by the meticulous blending of PLGA-PEG/HAP solutions at a specific proportion of 65% PLGA-PEG to 35% HAP. The mixture was left to agitate at 40 °C for 24 h and sonicated as stated in a previous report (25) where the sonication time was divided into 10 s intervals with an amplitude of 100 using a Qsonica Q700 sonicator model CL-334. The Petri dishes were enveloped within a hermetically sealed container exhibiting a substantial headspace and maintained in an immobile state until solvent evaporation ensued.…”