Investigation into the fabrication of scaffolds using bio-compatible polymer

생체 적합성 고분자 재료를 이용한 다공성 지지체 제작에 관한 연구

Most tissue engineering strategies for creating functional replacement tissues or organs rely on the application of temporary three-dimensional scaffolds to guide the proliferation and spread of seeded cells in vitro and in vivo. Scaffolds should be satisfied following requirements; macrostructure to promote cell proliferation, pore interconnectivity, pore size ranging from 200 to $400{\mu}m$, surface chemistry and mechanical properties. Rapid prototyping techniques have often been used as an useful process that fabricates scaffolds with complex structures. In this study, a new process to fabricate a three-dimensional scaffolds using bio-compatible polymer has been developed. It employs a highly accurate three-dimensional positioning system with pressure-controlled syringe to deposit biopolymer structures. The pressure-activated microsyringe is equipped with fine-bore nozzles of various inner-diameters. In order to examine relationships between line width and process parameters such as nozzle height, applied pressure, and speed of needle, experiments were carried out. Based on the experimental results, three-dimensional scaffold was fabricated using the apparatus. It shows the validity of the proposed process.