Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 33
EMULSION TEMPLATING
Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez
Biomedical Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU,
College Station, Texas 77843-3120, USA
cosgriff.hernandez@tamu.edu
Advancements in tissue engineering are revolutionizing our capa-
bility to repair and replace damaged tissue by augmenting the
body's native regenerative processes. Biomaterial scaffolds play
apivotalroleintissueregenerationbyrestoringfunctionandserv-
ing as a template for necessary cellular interactions. The fabrica-
tion process dictates scaffold properties such as architecture, sur-
facechemistry,biodegradation,andstrength.Emulsiontemplating
isarelativelynewmethodfortheproductionofhigh-porosityscaf-
folds via template polymerization of high-internal-phase emul-
sions (HIPEs). PolyHIPEs show great promise as bone scaffolds
due to the tremendous control of scaffold morphology, potential
as an injectable system, and superior mechanical properties. This
chapterreviewsseveralstudiesthatutilizeemulsiontemplatingto
generate bone scaffolds with highly interconnected pores.
33.1 Introduction
Musculoskeletal conditions have an enormous impact on the qual-
ity of life and remain one of the leading reasons that patients seek
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