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Injectable polyHIPEs as high-porosity bone grafts.
Robert S Moglia1, Jennifer L Holm, Nicholas A Sears
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3120, United States.
Biomacromolecules
|August 25, 2011
Summary
We developed an injectable, high-porosity foam scaffold for bone tissue engineering. This new polyHIPE material cures at body temperature, offering a promising alternative for bone grafts.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- High internal phase emulsion (polyHIPE) polymerization creates high-porosity scaffolds.
- Existing polyHIPEs often require toxic components or high temperatures, limiting their use in bone grafting.
- Injectable scaffolds that polymerize at physiological temperatures are needed for bone tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable polyHIPE scaffold that cures at physiological temperatures.
- To characterize the properties of the developed polyHIPE for potential use as a bone graft substitute.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a biodegradable macromer, propylene fumarate dimethacrylate (PFDMA).
- Optimized surfactant selection based on polymer and surfactant structural features for stable HIPE formation.
- Polymerized HIPEs at 37 °C via radical cross-linking to form rigid scaffolds.
Main Results:
- Developed an injectable polyHIPE that cures at physiological temperatures.
- Achieved ~75% porosity with pore sizes ranging from 4 to 29 micrometers.
- Resulting scaffolds had an average compressive modulus of 33 MPa and strength of 5 MPa.
Conclusions:
- The developed injectable polyHIPE foam shows great potential as a scaffold for tissue engineered bone grafts.
- The material's properties are suitable for injectable delivery and in vivo polymerization.
- This approach overcomes limitations of previous polyHIPE systems for bone regeneration applications.
