Porous 3D modeled scaffolds of bioactive glass and photocrosslinkable poly(ε-caprolactone) by stereolithography

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 74; pp. 99 - 106
• Main Authors: Elomaa, Laura, Kokkari, Anne, Närhi, Timo, Seppälä, Jukka V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 24.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Glasses; A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); Applied sciences; B. Porosity/Voids; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium phosphate; Composites; D. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Exact sciences and technology; Fibroblasts; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Glass; In vitro testing; Medical sciences; Photocrosslinking; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Scaffolds; Stereolithography; Surface chemistry; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Three dimensional models; A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); D. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); B. Porosity/Voids; Photocrosslinking; A. Glasses; Biological properties; Graft copolymer; Glass; Lactone polymer; Porous material; Modeling; Composite material; Macromer; Calcium Phosphates; Caprolactone copolymer; Mineralization; Photopolymerization; Aliphatic polymer; Biocompatibility; Polycaprolactone; Lactone copolymer; Tissue engineering; Biomineralization; Bioactive material; Stereolithography; Experimental study; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Three dimensional model; Morphology; Preparation; Rapid prototyping; Methacrylate copolymer; Porosity
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.10.014

Bioactive glass is known to benefit cell interactions of polymeric tissue engineering scaffolds. Most likely, the best response is obtained when the glass is on the scaffold surface without a cover. We combined a photocrosslinkable poly(ε-caprolactone) resin with bioactive glass in a rapid prototyping process. Bioactive glass was homogeneously distributed through the highly porous scaffolds and their surface. Ion release measurements in simulated body fluid revealed a rapid decrease in calcium and phosphorus concentrations. The presence of calcium phosphate deposits on the surface of the composite scaffolds indicated in vitro bioactivity. The bioactive glass increased the metabolic activity of fibroblasts. Our work showed that stereolithography enables the fabrication of well-defined composite scaffolds in which the bioactive glass is homogeneously distributed on the surface and readily available for rapid ion release and cell interactions. By stereolithography, an unwanted polymer layer covering the BG particles on the scaffold surface can be successfully avoided.