Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)

DoITPoMS Micrograph Library Micrograph 114 and full record

Micrograph 114 and full record

Link to image file for micrograph 114
Micrograph no
114
Brief description
Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) porous scaffold for tissue engineering. Average Pore Size 350-550 micrometre, porosity estimated at 35-45%
Keywords
biodegradable polymer Link to MATTER Glossary entry for biodegradable polymer, bone Link to MATTER Glossary entry for bone, poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) PLGA, polymer Link to MATTER Glossary entry for polymer, tissue engineering Link to MATTER Glossary entry for tissue engineering
Categories
Polymer
System
Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)
Composition
Not specified
Standard codes
Reaction
Processing
PLGA melt cast, particulate leaching (NaCl)
Applications
Tissue Engineering Scaffold for Bone Cells (Osteons) or Cartilage (Chondrocytes)
Sample preparation
Freeze fractured using liquid nitrogen, gold sputter coated
Technique
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Length bar
3 mm
Further information
The patients own cells are seeded onto the scaffold and allowed to attach and start producing new bone. The construct is implanted into the defect site, where eventually the polymer will biodegrade and be completely removed, leaving a natural autogenous bone graft. This technique is particularly useful for large defects, or where the host bed is compromised due to disease, although it is still at the research stage.
Contributor
V A Mellon
Organisation
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge
Date
03/12/01
Licence for re-use
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
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