Hydraulic permeability of polyglycolic acid scaffolds as a function of biomaterial degradation

Using a simple experimental setup, the hydraulic permeability of fibrous nonwoven polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds is studied after different degradation durations in PBS. The hydraulic permeability of the scaffolds increased with the degradation time. After being incubated for about 4 weeks, the permeability of the scaffold begins to drop. It is noted that the PGA scaffold apparently begins to contract and cannot maintain its original shape after 4 weeks of degradation. These results underpin the understanding of the biotransport processes in the scaffolds during tissue engineering experiments.