Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 10.1. Fabrication parameters for controlling the configuration
of electrospun fibers
6
Fabrication parameters
Effect on fiber morphology
↓
↑
Solution concentration/viscosity
- beadformation,
- larger fibers
↑
Conductivity/solution chargedensity
- uniform bead-free fibers, smaller fibers
Surfacetension
No conclusivelink
↑
Polymer molecular weight/viscosity
- reducedthenumber of beads
Dipole moment and dielectric constant
Successfulspinning
Flow rate
↓
- smaller fibers,
↑
- larger fibers
Field strength/voltage
↓
- largerfibers,
↑
- smaller fibers
Distance betweenneedle tip and collector
↓
- smaller fibers,
↑
- larger fibers
Needle tip design and diameter
↑
needle diameter - largerfibers
Collector geometry
Controlled fiber orientation, construct shape
Ambient parameters(temperatureand
↑
temperature -
↓
viscosity,
↑
humidity -
humidity)
appearance of circular pores on thefibers
In addition, three-dimensional electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds
with high porosity and pore interconnectivity provide a favorable
environment for cells using a variety of synthetic and naturally
derivedbiomaterials.Thus,thistechniquecreatesanano-scaledsur-
face environmentthat supports cellular adhesion and proliferation.
10.3 Cellular Interactions with Electrospun
Fibrous Scaffolds
The interactions of cells with biomaterials are critically impor-
tant for the successful outcome of tissue engineering applications.
Thus, the behavior of cells grown on a biomaterial surface, includ-
ing adhesion to the material, development of appropriate cellular
structures, cell growth, differentiation, and maintenance of proper
cellular function, must be investigated in order to obtain insight
into the biocompatibility of the biomaterial. It is well known that
adhesion and proliferation of different types of cells on biomate-
rials depend mostly on surface characteristics, such as wettability
(hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity), chemistry, charge, roughness, and
rigidity. It is also known that cells are sensitive to the topography
of the supporting surface of the biomaterials. Surface topography
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