Particulate Leaching (Salt Leaching) Technique for Fabrication of Biomaterials

Abstract

The most important characteristic of a scaffold used in tissue engineering is the possession of appropriate physical and mechanical properties to support or restore the biological function of damaged or degenerated tissue. Pore size, porosity, pore interconnectivity, and mechanical strength are all physical and mechanical properties that must be considered. Various fabrication techniques have been investigated to create a scaffold suitable for tissue engineering. One example is the particulate leaching (salt leaching) technique. The type of polymers and salts used, the particle size of the salt, and the fabrication technique all affect the desired physical and mechanical properties of salt leaching scaffolds. Over the past decade, there have been numerous studies on the fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering. This chapter reviews the different types of materials used, the basic salt leaching process, and its new modifications. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the salt leaching technique and its future prospects.