Porous, Resorbable, Fiber-Reinforced Scaffolds Tailored for Articular Cartilage Repair

Abstract

Porous 75:25 poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds reinforced with polyglycolide fibers were prepared with mechanical properties tailored for use in articular cartilage repair. Compression testing was performed to investigate the influence of physiological testing conditions, manufacturing method, anisotropic properties due to predominant fiber orientation, amounts of fiber reinforcement (0 to 20 wt, %), and viscoelasticity via a range of strain rates. Using the same testing modality, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds were compared with pig and goat articular cartilage. Results showed that mechanical properties of the scaffolds under physiological conditions (aqueous, 37 degrees C) were much lower than when tested under ambient conditions. The manufacturing method and anisotropy of the scaffolds significantly influenced the mechanical properties. The compressive modulus and yield strength proportionally increased with increasing fiber reinforcement up to 20%. From 0.01 to 10 mm/mm/min strain rate, the compressive modulus increased in a logarithmic fashion, and the yield strength increased in a semi-log fashion. The compressive modulus of the non-reinforced scaffolds was most similar to the pig and goat articular cartilage when compared using similar testing conditions and modality, but the improvement in yield strength using the stiffer scaffolds with fiber reinforcement could provide needed structural support for in vivo loads.

Architecture and properties of anisotropic polymer composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

“…In the latter study, anisotropy was induced by the processing technique. On the other hand, Slivka et al [54] created anisotropy by adding 2.5 mm PGA fibres to a PLGA foam, provided that fibres were oriented during processing. A compressive modulus in the axial direction up to six times higher than the transverse one was measured (32 and 5 MPa, respectively with 10 wt% fibres).…”

“…In physiological conditions, the cellular constructs will be filled by a liquid which will enhance the viscoelastic behaviour. Slivka et al [54] have also highlighted the viscoelasticity of their fibre reinforced porous structures. With 10 wt% PGA fibres they obtained a linear relationship for modulus-strain rate and strength-strain rate curves, on log-log and semi-log coordinates, respectively.…”

Bioactive and bioresorbable cellular cubic-composite scaffolds for use in bone reconstruction

“…A great number of porous cell scaffolds have previously been developed for tissue-engineering applications in bone or cartilage reconstruction (Slivka et al 2001;Yang et al 2001). Most consisted of separate bioceramics or bioresorbable polymers, with the exception of a few promising composites that have included both (Roy et al 2003;Rezwan et al 2006).…”

Neural Network Analysis Identifies Scaffold Properties Necessary for In Vitro Chondrogenesis in Elastin-like Polypeptide Biopolymer Scaffolds

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Scaffolds have included those that are prefabricated ex situ 4,9,[15][16][17] or those that may be injected, [18][19][20] and they have been formed from a variety of natural and synthetic materials. Several studies have demonstrated that material formulation parameters affect the mechanical properties of these scaffolds as well as their ability to support chondrogenesis by encapsulated or seeded cells.…”