Electrospun polyester scaffolds

Physical and chemical modifications to increase electrospun polyester hydrophihcity and surface scaffold functionalization with ECM proteins, peptides, or other bioactive molecules are some examples of posttreatments in use [16]. Another strategy to improve the biocompatibihty of the scaffolds is to combine the polyester with a natural polymer or other natural biomolecule to conduct the electrospinning process [17,18]. 

Electrospinning of PHA is still relatively new in scaffold fabrication. To date, P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) are the most common microbial polyesters to be electrospun into tissue-engineering scaffolds. Suwantong et al. (2007) prepared ultrafine electrospun fiber mats of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) as scaffolding materials for skin and nerve generation, hi their study, they evaluated the in vitro biocompatibility of these fibers using mouse fibroblasts and Schwann cells... 

Inspired by the hierarchical structures that enable bone function, Deng et al. recently developed a mechanically competent 3D scaffold mimicking the bone marrow cavity and the lamellar structure of bone by orienting electrospun polyphosphazene-polyester blend nanofibers in a concentric manner with an open central cavity (Figure 11.9b and c) [66]. The 3D biomimetic scaffold exhibited mechanical characteristic similar to native bone. Compressive modulus of the scaffold was found to be within the range of human trabecular bone. When tuned to have desired properties, the concentric open macrostructures of nanofibers that structurally and mechanically mimic the native bone can be a potential scaffold design for accelerated bone healing. 

Ying TH, Ishii D, Niagara A, Murakami S, Yamaoka T, Sudesh K, Samian R, Fujita M, Maeda M, Iwata T (2008) Scaffolds from electrospun polyhydroxyaikanoate copolymers fabrication characterization bioabsorption and tissue response. Biomaterials 29 1307-1317 Yokouchi M, ChataniY, Tadokoro H, Tani H (1973) Structural studies of polyesters. 5. Molecular and crystal structure of optically active and racemic poly(P-hydroxybutyrate). Polymer 14(6) 267-272... 

Electrospun Scaffolds of Biodegradable Polyesters Manufacturing and Biomedical Application... 

This chapter concerns the recent progress in the use of polyester polymers to produce electrospun scaffolds for medical regenerative apphcations, with emphasis on the processing of the polyesters for electrospinning, their apphcations, and the improvement of their biological performance. 

Listed in Table 7.1 are the most commonly used biodegradable polyesters to create electrospun scaffolds for tissue engineering apphcations. The corresponding solvents and concentrations of polymer solutions reported in the literature are also described. 

Functionalization of Polyester Electrospun Scaffolds with Bioactive Molecules... 

The use of nanotechnology for producing electrospun scaffolds of polyesters is the new frontier of tissue engineering for application in regenerative medicine. 

In general terms, biodegradable polyesters such as PLA, and poly (s-caprolactone) (PCL) are suitable choices for constructing nanofibrous scaffolds," by their good processability and mechanical properties. In fact, electrospun fibres of these polymers could replicate the physical dimensions and morphology of the major components in native ECM. On the other... 

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