Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
also an important research interest for scaffold development. The
degradation process in vivo is quite different from that in vitro .
Furthermore, the degradation period is important, not only for
the smooth replacement with regenerating tissue, but also for the
long-term stability of the regenerated tissue. This idea is espe-
cially important for hard-tissue engineering, such as bone. In this
chapter, the required properties of scaffolds for soft- and hard-
tissue engineering are introduced and are intended to be a refer-
encefordesigningnovelscaffolds.Thereisabroadrangeoftarget
tissues, so this chapter focuses on small-caliber blood vessels as
an example of soft-tissue engineering and bone as an example of
hard-tissue engineering. From a clinical point of view, several key
features of scaffolds for these tissues are discussed and possible
approaches to achieve these requirements are reviewed.
26.1 Introduction
To achieve e cient tissue engineering, various novel biomaterials
and processing procedures have been developed. Recent develop-
ments in materials science have exponentially increased, and novel
biomaterials have been introduced almost every year as a result.
Scaffolds for tissue engineering should be designed from a clinical
point of view since the ultimate goal of the materials is for clinical
applications. Effective communication between material scientists
and clinical doctors is one of the key factors for the development
of successful biomaterials. Mechanical properties, biocompatibil-
ity, and degeneration period are other factors to be considered,
whichshouldalsofulfilltheclinicalapplicationrequirements.Inthis
chapter, we focus on two tissues, small-caliber blood vessels and
bone. Through our preclinical in vivo and clinical studies, several
key features of scaffold materials for these tissues are discussed,
which aim to fill the gap between material scientists and clinical
doctors.
Small-caliber blood vessels were selected as an example of
soft-tissue engineering since generation of competent scaffolds for
small-caliberbloodvesselshasbeenachallenge. 1 Despiteenormous
efforts to mimic natural blood vessels, the nature of the currently
 
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