Multilayer porous UHMWPE scaffolds for bone defects replacement

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C Vol. 73; pp. 366 - 372
• Main Authors: Maksimkin, A.V., Senatov, F.S., Anisimova, N.Yu, Kiselevskiy, M.V., Zalepugin, D.Yu, Chernyshova, I.V., Tilkunova, N.A., Kaloshkin, S.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatibility; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - pathology; Bone defects; Bone diseases; Bone implants; Cancellous bone; Connective tissues; Defects; Fixation; Foaming; Male; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Molecular weight; Multilayer; Polyethylenes - pharmacology; Polymers; Pore size; Pores; Porosity; Prosthesis Implantation; Rats; Scaffold; Scaffolds; Structural damage; Structural integrity; Subcutaneous Tissue - drug effects; Surgical implants; Tibia - drug effects; Tibia - pathology; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Transplants & implants; UHMWPE; Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene; Bone defects; Biocompatibility; Scaffold; UHMWPE; Multilayer
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.12.104

Reconstruction of the structural integrity of the damaged bone tissue is an urgent problem. UHMWPE may be potentially used for the manufacture of porous implants simulating as closely as possible the porous cancellous bone tissue. But the extremely high molecular weight of the polymer does not allow using traditional methods of foaming. Porous and multilayer UHMWPE scaffolds with nonporous bulk layer and porous layer that mimics cancellous bone architecture were obtained by solid-state mixing, thermopressing and washing in subcritical water. Structural and mechanical properties of the samples were studied. Porous UHMWPE samples were also studied in vitro and in vivo. The pores of UHMWPE scaffold are open and interconnected. Volume porosity of the obtained samples was 79±2%; the pore size range was 80–700μm. Strong connection of the two layers in multilayer UHMWPE scaffolds was observed with decreased number of fusion defects. Functionality of implants based on multilayer UHMWPE scaffolds is provided by the fixation of scaffolds in the bone defect through ingrowths of the connective tissue into the pores, which ensures the maintenance of the animals' mobility [Display omitted] •Porous UHMWPE scaffold mimics cancellous bone architecture, maintaining its flexibility.•Multilayer UHMWPE scaffold is able to simulate different types of bone tissue.•Fixation of scaffolds in the bone provides through ingrowths of the connective tissue into pores.•Multilayer UHMWPE scaffolds can be used for the formation of bone implants.