Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
(d)
(g)
(e)
(h)
(b)
(c)
(f)
(i)
10.7 Ultrastructure of AlloDerm RTM by scanning electron microscopy.
(a) Full cross-section of RTM showing both the basement membrane
surface (top) and reticular surface (bottom). Magnified images show
details of the basement membrane surface (b) and reticular surface (c).
The basement membrane surface (d
and
e) retains characteristics of
unprocessed dermis (f). Similar structural preservation is observed on
the reticular surface of RTM (g
and
h) compared to unprocessed
dermis (i); the surface illustrated represents a section through the
central region of the deep dermis as the allograft skin was procured by
the use of a dermatome.
views (Fig. 10.7(a)) through the entire depth of the dermal matrix are consistent with
the histological staining at the light microscopy level as the overall organization of
the collagen network of both the superficial papillary (Fig. 10.7(b)) and deep
reticular (Fig. 10.7(c)) layers are easily distinguishable. The superficial basement
membrane surface is quite irregular (Fig. 10.7(d) and (e)), and is consistent with the
structural preservation of the dermal papillae in de-epidermized dermis (Fig.
10.7(f)). The reticular dermal surface of the processed matrix exhibits a loose
network of connective tissue (Fig. 10.7(g) and (h)) indicating that the collagen
matrix present in unprocessed dermis has been structurally preserved (Fig. 10.7(i)).
These ultrastructural level images, demonstrate the presence of a porous three-
dimensional network of collagen fibers comparable to unprocessed matrix.
