Antonino Previti | Search PubMed

PubMed2006

Characterization of tissue-engineered scaffolds microfabricated with PAM.

PAM (pressure-activated microsyringe) is a new microfabrication technique that allows the fabrication of two- and three-dimensional scaffolds with a well-defined geometry using polymers soluble in volatile solvents. In this study, polymeric scaffolds were realized with four different polymers--PCL, PLLA, PLGA, and a blend of PCL and PLLA--and with three different geometries-square grids, hexagonal grids, and octagonal grids. The scaffolds were characterized in terms of porosity, hydrophilicity, cell adhesion, and their mechanical properties. An analysis of the measured data shows that the physical and mechanical properties of the scaffold depend on its geometry and line width, both of which are easily modulated using PAM.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed2004

Innovative tissue engineering structures through advanced manufacturing technologies.

Awide range of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques for the construction of three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds for tissue engineering has been recently developed. In this study, we report and compare two methods for the fabrication of poly-(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly-(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly-(oxyethylene)-poly-(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer scaffolds. The first technique is based on the use of a microsyringe and a computer-controlled three-axis micropositioner, which regulates motor speed and position. Polymer solutions are extruded through the needle of the microsyringe by the application of a constant pressure of 10-300 mm Hg, resulting in controlled polymer deposition of 5-600 microm lateral dimensions. The second method utilises the heating energy of a laser beam to sinter polymer microparticles according to computer-guided geometries. Materials may be fed either as dry powder or slurry of microparticles. Both powder granulometry and laser working parameters influence resolution (generally 300 microm x 700 microm), accuracy of sintering and surface and bulk properties of the final structures. The two RP methods allow the fabrication of 3-D scaffolds with a controlled architecture, providing a powerful means to study cell response to an environment similar to that found

Animals↗