Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
a)
400
PLGA-PEG-PLGA
PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ PEG-DA,2/1
PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ PEG-DA,1/1
PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ PEG-DA,1/2
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Time (day)
b)
400
350
PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ PEG-DA,2/1
PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ PEG-DA,1/1
PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ PEG-DA,1/2
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Time (day)
Figure 9.7
In vitro
degradation test of PLGA-PEG-PLGA/PEG elastic hydrogels (a) LA/GA
=
1
and (b) LA/GA
=
4 at 37 ° C.
production and tissue organization [40]. To achieve this, scaffolds must be elastic
and capable of withstanding cyclic mechanical strain without cracking or suffering
signifi cant permanent deformation. Elastic biodegradable poly(glycolide-
co -
capro-
lactone), PLCL, and polyurethane scaffold could be used to engineer smooth-
muscle -containing tissue (e.g., blood vessels and bladders) in mechanical dynamic
environments [4, 5, 41]. The elastic scaffolds allowed for appropriate smooth
muscle cell adhesion and subsequent tissue formation.
9.4.2
Application of Elastic Shape-Memory Hydrogels as Biodegradable Sutures
The medical application of shape-memory polymers is of great interest due to a
combination of biocompatibility, tailorable transition temperature, large shape
