Bioabsorbable scaffolds for guided bone regeneration and generation

Several different bioabsorbable scaffolds designed and manufactured for guided bone regeneration and generation have been developed. In order to enhance the bioactivity and potential osteoconductivity of the scaffolds, different bioabsorbable polymers, composites of polymer and bioactive glass, and textured surface structures of the manufactured devices and composites were investigated in in vitro studies and experimental animal models. Solid, self-reinforced polyglycolide (SR-PGA) rods and self-reinforced poly L-lactide (SR-PLLA) rods were successfully used as scaffolds for bone formation in muscle by free tibial periosteal grafts in animal experiments. In an experimental maxillary cleft model, a bioabsorbable composite membrane of epsilon-caprolactone and L-lactic acid 50/50 copolymer (PCL/LLA) film and mesh and poly 96L,4D-lactide (PLA96) mesh were found to be suitable materials for guiding bone regeneration in the cleft defect area. The idea of solid layer and porous layer combined together was also transferred to stiff composite of poly 70L,30DL-lactide (PLA70) plate and PLA96 mesh which structure is introduced. The osteoconductivity of several different biodegradable composites of polymers and bioactive glass (BG) was shown by apatite formation in vitro. Three composites studied were self-reinforced composite of PLA70 and bioactive glass (SR-(PLA70 + BG)), SR-PLA70 plate coated with BG spheres, and Polyactive with BG.