A photocurable hydrogel/elastomer composite scaffold with bi-continuous morphology for cell encapsulation

A photocurable two-phase scaffold with a bi-continuous morphology was designed and characterized for the repair of load bearing soft tissues. An N-methacrylate glycol chitosan (MGC) hydrogel phase was used to distribute the cells and enable cell growth once crosslinked. The second phase, an elastomerprepared from a star-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) triacrylate, was used to enhance the mechanical properties. Chondrocytes were photocrosslinked within the bi-continuous scaffolds and proliferated, increased metabolic activity and accumulated extracellular matrix over a 14 d culture period. Also during this time no significant material degradation was observed.