[Analysis of three-dimensional microstructure of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds made by mild heating under high pressure]

Abstract

Objective: To develop a poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) copolymer scaffold with good three-dimensional microstructure and free of organic solvent, which can be used in bone repairing for tissue engineering, and to explore a novel method for developing polymeric scaffolds.

Methods: The polymer and sodium chloride were ground to powder and mixed in 2 different proportions as the materials for preparing the scaffolds by mild heating under high pressure. The porosity and the ratio of open pores in the product were analyzed in light of its density and by sodium chloride approaches, with the pore size, surface and internal structures examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Results: The PLGA scaffolds made by this method had porosity of 90 % and 92.5 % respectively, their pore size ranging from 200 to 250 micro m with the ratio of open pores exceeding 98 % (P<0.01). The average sodium chloride leaching time was 12 to 13 h.

Conclusions: The scaffolds made in this way possess stable three-dimensional microstructure with controllable parameters and without cytotoxic effects caused by organic solvent.