Fabrication of Novel Scaffolds Containing Collagen-I/Polylactic Acid/Nanohydroxyapatite via Co-electrospinning Methods

A novel scaffold containing collagen-I/polylactic acid（PLA）/nanohydroxyapatite（nHA） was prepared via co-electrospinning method. Different target substrates were used to improve the collection efficiency of this scaffold. The properties of the novel scaffold were compared with those of conventionally prepared ones. Compared to con- ventional method, the modified method was more efficient in producing the scaffold. Moreover, the porosity, thickness, and morphology of the novel scaffold were better than those of scaffolds prepared by conventional methods. The properties of collagen-I, collagen-I/PLA and collagen-I/PLA/nHA scaffolds were also compared. Diameters of the electrospun fibers ranged from 180 to 405 nm, and roughness was present on the surface of the fibers due to the deposition of crystals of nHA along the long axis of the fibers. The fibers of the collagen-I/PLA/nHA scaffold and the fibers of natural bone tissue had similar structure.

Effect of ball milling process on the microstructure of titanium-nanohydroxyapatite composite powder

Titaninm-nanohydroxyapatite （Ti-nHA） composite powders, composed of titanium with 10 vol.% and 20 vol.% of nano-hydroxyapatite, were milled in a planetary ball mill using alcohol media to avoid excessive heat. XRD and SEM were performed for characterization of the microstructure, and the homogeneity of Ti/HA nanocomposite powder was evaluated by EPMA with prolonged ball milling time. The results show that under the condition of wet milling, the grain size of Ti-nHA composite powders is decreased with the increase in ball milling time and the amount of the addition of nHA. While for milling of 30 h, the nanocomposite powder with free structure, which consists of the nano-hydroxyapatite （nHA） particles and titanium （Ti） phase, is obtained. Three stages of milling can be observed from the dement mapping of Ti, Ca, and P by EPMA; meanwhile, it is found that the nHA would be more homogenously distributed after milling for 30 h.

The Properties of Nanohydroxyapatite Materials and its Biological Effects

The nanohydroxyapatites (HAP) and its biological effects have been studied using ultraviolet absorption spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) structure analysis, fluorescent and infrared spectrum of absorption and MTT method. The nanohyd- roxyapatites are prepared and made by using Sol-gel method, in which the parameters of process and reaction are controlled as: PH 】9, Ca/P = 1.67, sintering temperature of 1100?C and sintering time 2 hours. The results of the study show that nanohydroxyapatites can absorb the amino acid molecules, the absorption is better for stronger acidity of amino acids. We also find that the nanohydroxyapatites and complex of nanoHAP+ nanoCrO2 can all restrain the proliferation of cells, but their toxiciteis are all first degree or minor, but the restrained effect of the latter is smaller than that of the former, although they can decrease the relative proliferation rate of cells. The nanohydroxyapatites can also change the molecular structure of human serum albumin.

3D PLLA/Nano-hydroxyapatite Scaffolds with Hierarchical Porous Structure Fabricated by Low-temperature Deposition Manufacturing

A new Precision Extrusion nozzle based ball screw transmission was developed. 3D hierarchical porous PLLA/nano-Hydroxyapatite（PLLA/nHA） scaffolds were fabricated by low-temperature deposition manufacturing. Scaffolds with macropores of 200-500 rtm and micropores about 10 pm were fabricated through a thorough study and control of the processing parameters, in which the processing path and speed of material extrusion determine the macropores and there is a suitable temperature zone for fabricating qualified macropores. Micropore morphology can be controlled by adjusting supercooling of solvent crystallization or adding water into the solvent system. The compressive modulus of the scaffolds in air and phosphate buffer solution was measured, which increased with HA addition. In-vitro cell culture results showed a ~ood biocomoatibilitv of PLLA/HA scaffolds with the ore-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

Preparation and Physicochemical Properties of Hydroxyapatite/Polyurethane Nanocomposites

In this study, nanohydroxyapatite/polyurethane （nHA/PU） composites with various contents of methoxy- poly（ethylene glycol） modified nHA （0 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt% and 30 wt%） were prepared by solution blending process. The physicochemical properties of the composite membranes were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Transmission electronic microscopy （TEM）, Differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, Thermo gravimetric analysis （TGA） and tensile tests. TEM photos of the nanocomposites showed that the nHA was uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The membrane with 10 wt% nHA showed the highest tensile strength which was about 75% higher than that of the pure PU membrane. However, the tensile strength decreased when high content （above 20 wt%） fillers were added, which was still higher than that of pure PU. TGA measurements suggested that the thermal stability of the membranes was improved owing to nHA fillers. XRD and DSC results illustrated that the crystallinity of PU soft segments decreased with the increasing content of nanoparticles in the composites.

Novel synthesis method combining a foaming agent with freeze-drying to obtain hybrid highly macroporous bone scaffolds

Three-dimensional macroporous scaffolds are commonly used in bone tissue engineering applications since they provide sufficient space for cell migration and proliferation, facilitating bone ingrowth and implant vascularisation. The aim of this work was to combine two simple methods, freeze-drying and gas-foaming, in order to fabricate highly macroporous bone scaffolds made of chitosan/agarose matrix reinforced with nanohydroxyapatite. The secondary goal of this research was to comprehensively assess biomedical potential of developed biomaterials. In this work, it was demonstrated that simultaneous application of freeze-drying and gas-foaming technique allows to obtain hybrid(as proven by ATR-FTIR)macroporous bone scaffolds(pore diameter > 50 um) characterized by high open(70%) and interconnected porosity. Novel scaffolds were non-toxic, favoured osteoblasts adhesion and growth and induced apatite formation on their surfaces, indicating their high bioactivity that is essential for good implant osseointegration. Biomaterials were also prone to enzymatic degradation, degradation in acidified microenvironment(e.g. osteoclast-mediated), and slow degradation under physiological p H of 7.4.Moreover, the scaffolds revealed microstructure(70% open porosity, SSA approx. 30 m2/g, high share of macropores with diameter in the range 100-410 um) and compressive strength(1–1.4 MPa) comparable to cancellous bone, indicating that they are promising implants for cancellous bone regeneration.