19 - Electrospun fibrous polyurethane scaffolds in tissue engineering

Abstract

Electrospinning is a popular and attractive technique for processing polymers into fibrous scaffolds mimicking the extracellular matrix of native tissue. Biodegradable linear polyurethanes have been processed into fibrous scaffolds through electrospinning, and then utilized for tissue engineering applications. In this chapter, an overview of electrospinning factors, including polymer solution properties and electrospinning parameters, which can be used to manipulate scaffold morphology, is provided. Further, improved electrospinning approaches are introduced to address the challenge of cell infiltration for electrospun scaffolds with dense structures. Finally, specific applications of polyurethane scaffolds in cardiovascular tissue engineering and abdominal wall reconstruction are summarized. Biodegradable electrospun polyurethane scaffolds with attractive structural and mechanical properties are potentially ideal candidates for tissue engineering applications.