Browsing by Author "Chiellini, F."
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- Evaluation of in vitro degradation of PCL scaffolds fabricated via BioExtrusion – Part 2: Influence of pore size and geometry: The present study is to accurately investigate the influence of design parameters, such as filament distance (FD) and lay-down pattern, on the degradation behaviour and kinetics of PCL scaffolds, obtained via BioExtrusionPublication . Domingos, Marco; Chiellini, F.; Cometa, S.; Giglio, E. De; Grillo-Fernandes, E.; Bartolo, Paulo; Chiellini, E.The in vivo degradation processes by which scaffolds degrade and are replaced by neo-tissue are complex and may be influenced by many factors, including environmental conditions, material properties, porosity and 3D architecture. The present study is focused on the influence of design parameters, filament distance (FD) and lay-down pattern, on the degradation kinetics of Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds obtained via BioExtrusion. Through the variation of design parameters it was possible to obtain two groups of scaffolds with distinct pore geometry and size. The in vitro degradation was performed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for six months. Our results highlight a more complex degradation pattern of the scaffolds in SBF than in PBS, probably related to a mineral deposition. Significant statistical differences in weight loss values at month 6, allowed us to conclude that degradation kinetics of PCL scaffolds is strongly influenced by the pore size.
- Evaluation of in vitro degradation of PCL scaffolds fabricated via BioExtrusion. Part 1: Influence of the degradation environmentPublication . Domingos, M.; Chiellini, F.; Cometa, S.; De Giglio, E.; Grillo-Fernandes, E.; Bártolo, P.; Chiellini, E.One of the most promising approaches in tissue engineering (TE) comprises the development of 3D porous scaffolds which are able to promote tissue regeneration. Biocompatible and biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) structures are increasingly used as temporary extra-cellular matrices for bone tissue engineering. To ensure an appropriate bone restoration over the long term, the selected material must have a degradation rate that match the in-growth of new bone. The in vivo process, by which the scaffold degrades and is resorbed transferring the load and function back to the host tissue, is complex. Consequently, an appropriate preliminary in vitro study is required. A novel extrusion-based technology called BioExtruder was used to produce PCL porous scaffolds made with layers of directionally aligned microfilaments. The in vitro degradation behaviour in both simulated body fluid (SBF) and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) were investigated over 6 months. The characterization of the degradation behaviour of the structures was performed at specific times by evaluating changes in the average molecular weight, the weight loss and its thermal properties. Morphological and surface chemical analyses were also performed using a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and an X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), respectively.