Aligned nanofibrous scaffolds hold tremendous potential for the engineering of dense connective tissues. These biomimetic micropatterns direct organized cell-mediated matrix deposition and can be tuned to possess nonlinear and anisotropic mechanical properties. For these scaffolds to function in vivo, however, they must either recapitulate the full dynamic mechanical range of the native tissue upon implantation or must foster cell infiltration and matrix deposition so as to enable construct maturation to meet these criteria. In our recent studies, we noted that cell infiltration into dense aligned structures is limited but could be expedited via the inclusion of a distinct rapidly eroding sacrificial component. In the present study, we sought to further the fabrication of dynamic nanofibrous constructs by combining multiple-fiber populations, each with distinct mechanical characteristics, into a single composite nanofibrous scaffold. Toward this goal, we developed a novel method for the generation of aligned electrospun composites containing rapidly eroding (PEO), moderately degradable (PLGA and PCL/PLGA), and slowly degrading (PCL) fiber populations. We evaluated the mechanical properties of these composites upon formation and with degradation in a physiologic environment. Furthermore, we employed a hyperelastic constrained-mixture model to capture the nonlinear and time-dependent properties of these scaffolds when formed as single-fiber populations or in multipolymer composites. After validating this model, we demonstrated that by carefully selecting fiber populations with differing mechanical properties and altering the relative fraction of each, a wide range of mechanical properties (and degradation characteristics) can be achieved. This advance allows for the rational design of nanofibrous scaffolds to match native tissue properties and will significantly enhance our ability to fabricate replacements for load-bearing tissues of the musculoskeletal system.
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October 2009
Research Papers
Fabrication and Modeling of Dynamic Multipolymer Nanofibrous Scaffolds
Brendon M. Baker,
Brendon M. Baker
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, and Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Nandan L. Nerurkar,
Nandan L. Nerurkar
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Jason A. Burdick,
Jason A. Burdick
Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Dawn M. Elliott,
Dawn M. Elliott
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, and Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Robert L. Mauck
Robert L. Mauck
Assistant Professor
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, and Department of Bioengineering,
lemauck@mail.med.upenn.edu
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Search for other works by this author on:
Brendon M. Baker
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, and Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Nandan L. Nerurkar
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Jason A. Burdick
Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Dawn M. Elliott
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, and Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Robert L. Mauck
Assistant Professor
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, and Department of Bioengineering,
University of Pennsylvania
, Philadelphia, PA 19104lemauck@mail.med.upenn.edu
J Biomech Eng. Oct 2009, 131(10): 101012 (10 pages)
Published Online: September 14, 2009
Article history
Received:
November 15, 2008
Revised:
June 2, 2009
Published:
September 14, 2009
Citation
Baker, B. M., Nerurkar, N. L., Burdick, J. A., Elliott, D. M., and Mauck, R. L. (September 14, 2009). "Fabrication and Modeling of Dynamic Multipolymer Nanofibrous Scaffolds." ASME. J Biomech Eng. October 2009; 131(10): 101012. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3192140
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