Optimization of thickness, pore size and mechanical properties of a biomaterial designed for deep burn coverage

• Published in: Clinical materials Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 259 - 265
• Main Authors: Berthod, F., Saintigny, G., Chretien, F., Hayek, D., Collombel, C., Damour, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 1994; Oxford Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Burns - therapy; Chitin - analogs & derivatives; Chondroitin Sulfates - therapeutic use; Collagen - radiation effects; Collagen - therapeutic use; Freezing; Health technology assessment; Humans; Materials Testing; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Porosity; Skin, Artificial; Sterilization - methods; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Tensile Strength; Wound Healing; Mechanical properties; Optimization; Thickness; Plasty; Chemical treatment; Surgery; Collagen; Sterilization; Biomaterial; Chondroitin sulfate; Sponge; Skin; Chitosan; Porosity; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0267-6605; 1878-6979
• DOI: 10.1016/0267-6605(94)90055-8

A collagen and chondroitins 4-, 6-sulphate biomateral designed for the coverage of severe burns was optimized in terms of mechanical strength by addition of 20% (wt/vol) of chitosan to the starting material. Chitosan should create ionic bonds with collagen and thus increase the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the sponge. On the other hand, sterilization by γ-irradiation of the biomaterial induced a decrease in its mechanical properties that could be avoided by sterilization using β-irradiation. The thickness, pore size and morphology of the biomaterial were optimized before freeze-drying by freezing the mixture at −60°C at a weight/volume concentration of 1.25% and a volume of 270 μl/cm 2. The biomaterial obtained under these conditions may further the vascularization and cellular colonization of the porous structure by the host cells of the wound bed and therefore may accelerate the regeneration of a new dermis.