Poly(D,L-lactic acid) coated 45S5 Bioglass-based scaffolds: processing and characterization.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Bioglass-based foams are promising for bone tissue engineering due to their bioactivity.
• Their mechanical properties and stability in physiological environments require improvement for clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) coating on the mechanical properties and bioactivity of Bioglass-based foams.
• To assess the long-term stability of coated foams in simulated body fluid (SBF).

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Bioglass-based foams.
• Application of PDLLA coating onto foam struts.
• Immersion of coated and uncoated foams in SBF.
• Mechanical testing (compressive, three-point bending) and microstructural analysis before and after SBF immersion.

Main Results:

• PDLLA coating slightly improved compressive and bending strengths and significantly enhanced work-of-fracture.
• Bioactivity was maintained in PDLLA-coated foams.
• PDLLA coating retarded the transformation of crystalline Na(2)Ca(2)Si(3)O(9) to amorphous calcium phosphate in SBF.
• Uncoated foams showed a significant decrease in mechanical strength after 4 weeks in SBF, while PDLLA-coated foams maintained their strength after 8 weeks due to in-situ nanocomposite film formation.

Conclusions:

• PDLLA coating enhances the mechanical integrity and long-term stability of Bioglass-based foams in SBF.
• The coating protects the foams from degradation, suggesting potential for improved performance in bone regeneration scaffolds.