Cylindrical Polyurethane Scaffold Fabricated Using the Phase Inversion Method: Influence of Process Parameters on Scaffolds' Morphology and Mechanical Properties.

Aleksandra Kuźmińska,Beata A Butruk-Raszeja,Dominika Kwarta,Tomasz Ciach

doi:10.3390/ma14112977

Aleksandra Kuźmińska, Beata A Butruk-Raszeja + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112977

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Journal: Materials	Publication Date: May 31, 2021
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Warsaw University of Technology

Abstract

This work presents a method of obtaining cylindrical polymer structures with a given diameter (approx. 5 mm) using the phase inversion technique. As part of the work, the influence of process parameters (polymer hardness, polymer solution concentration, the composition of the non-solvent solution, process time) on the scaffolds’ morphology was investigated. Additionally, the influence of the addition of porogen on the scaffold’s mechanical properties was analyzed. It has been shown that the use of a 20% polymer solution of medium hardness (ChronoFlex C45D) and carrying out the process for 24 h in 0:100 water/ethanol leads to the achievement of repeatable structures with adequate flexibility. Among the three types of porogens tested (NaCl, hexane, polyvinyl alcohol), the most favorable results were obtained for 10% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The addition of PVA increases the range of pore diameters and the value of the mean pore diameter (9.6 ± 3.2 vs. 15.2 ± 6.4) while reducing the elasticity of the structure (Young modulus = 3.6 ± 1.5 MPa vs. 9.7 ± 4.3 MPa).

Highlights

Research is continuously carried out to create the ideal tissue scaffold
The surface should be free from irregularities as this could promote platelet adhesion and clot formation after contact with human blood
Our study showed that scaffolds with the addition of porogen were stiffer and less flexible than those without it

Summary

Introduction

Research is continuously carried out to create the ideal tissue scaffold. This is important in the investigation of vascular prostheses [1]. The production of artificial vascular grafts of smaller diameter (diameter less than 6 mm [3])—in contrast to those of larger sizes—is associated with many difficulties [4]. For this reason, it is necessary to search for new techniques for the production of small vascular prostheses. Vascular prostheses with small diameters, like those with larger diameters, must have appropriate parameters. In addition to bio- and hemocompatibility, one of these criteria is a surface with proper pore sizes [5,6,7,8]

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