Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Constitutive Effects of Hydrolytic Degradation
in Electro-Spun Polyester-Urethane Scaffolds
for Soft Tissue Regeneration
Hugo Krynauw, Lucie Bruchmüller, Deon Bezuidenhout, Peter Zilla,
and Thomas Franz
Abstract
In tissue regenerative implants, porosity allowing the ingrowth of cells
and tissue is a key factor for the long-term success. While vital for healing and tissue
regeneration, the use of highly porous structures may adversely affect the mechani-
cal properties of the scaffold, in particular when viscoelastic polymeric materials are
used. In the case of biodegradable scaffold materials, the effect of the degradation
process on mechanical and structural properties of the scaffold is yet another aspect
to be considered. Both tissue ingrowth and biodegradation are concurrent transient
processes which change the mechanical and structural properties of the implanted
device over time. Ingrowth of cells and tissue typically results in an increase in
structural stiffness whereas scaffold degradation leads to loss of mechanical prop-
erties and potentially to structural disintegration. The aim of the research presented
in this chapter was the investigation of the change of mechanical properties of a
biodegradable, electro-spun polyester-urethane scaffold for soft tissue regeneration
during hydrolytic degradation and the development of a constitutive model that is
suitable for capturing these changes.
1 Introduction
Tissue engineering and tissue regeneration are prominent tools in regenerative
medicine for the treatment of diseases and injuries [
1
,
2
]. Biodegradable scaffolds
have been used and have shown promises for the future of tissue regenerative pros-
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