Formation of highly porous polymeric foams with controlled release capability : a phase-separation technique

The success of many tissue engineering applications depends on a scaffold with the suitable physical properties, one of which might be a macroporous structure that allows cellular ingrowth. Such a porous implant further raises the possibility of delivering chemotactic or growth factors to influence the course of cell proliferation and differentiation in situ. The scaffolds can also be preseeded with cells to accelerate tissue growth or repair. Even in the absence of these payloads, they still provide the benefit of introducing the minimal amount of foreign material into the tissue. Furthermore, by making the porous scaffold, or foam, from biodegradable polymers, the regenerated tissue would be rid of any synthetic component, leading to a more functional biological equivalent, and eliminating concerns of long-term tissue compatibility.