Development of porous Ti6Al4V samples by microsphere sintering

Two differently sized microspheres were sintered at 1300° C and 1400° C from 2 to 8 h in stoneware, alumina, yttria and zirconia moulds. Selecting the appropriate material to be used as a mould remains a critical issue given titanium's high reactivity at elevated temperatures. Optimum mechanical properties were obtained when sintering the smallest microspheres in yttria-coated moulds. Stiffness of the samples was lower than 40% of that of the bulk solid material, which comes closer to that of human cortical bone. Open and interconnected porosity was observed in all the specimens. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The translation of this paper was funded by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Universitat Jaume I.Reig Cerdá, L.; Amigó Borrás, V.; Busquets Mataix, DJ.; Calero Martinez, JA. (2012). Development of porous Ti6Al4V samples by microsphere sintering. Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 212(1):3-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2011.06.026S37212

Antimicrobial hydrogels based on autoclaved poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) mixtures for wound care applications

Novel antimicrobial hydrogels with good mechanical and physical properties were synthesized by autoclaving aqueous mixtures of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride). The structure of these materials was studied by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance. The swelling behavior, mechanical properties and adhesion of the hydrogels to porcine skin were evaluated. It was established that these hydrogels exhibited antimicrobial properties and inhibited bacteria growth against Staphylococcus aureus. The biocompatibility of the hydrogels was confirmed using an MTT assay (indirect cytotoxicity) and by monitoring cell proliferation in contact with the gels (direct cytotoxicity)

Biomimetic poly(glycerol sebacate)/poly(L-lactic acid) blend scaffolds for adipose tissue engineering

Large three-dimensional poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS)/poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds with similar bulk mechanical properties to native low and high stress adapted adipose tissue were fabricated via a freeze-drying and a subsequent curing process. PGS/PLLA scaffolds containing 73 vol.% PGS were prepared using two different organic solvents, resulting in highly interconnected open-pore structures with porosities and pore sizes in the range of 91–92% and 109–141 μm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic analysis indicated that the scaffolds featured different microstructure characteristics, depending on the organic solvent in use. The PGS/PLLA scaffolds had a tensile Young’s modulus of 0.030 MPa, tensile strength of 0.007 MPa, elongation at the maximum stress of 25% and full shape recovery capability upon release of the compressive load. In vitro degradation tests presented mass losses of 11–16% and 54–55% without and with the presence of lipase enzyme in 31 days, respectively. In vitro cell tests exhibited clear evidence that the PGS/PLLA scaffolds prepared with 1,4-dioxane as the solvent are suitable for culture of adipose derived stem cells. Compared to pristine PLLA scaffolds prepared with the same procedure, these scaffolds provided favourable porous microstructures, good hydrophilic characteristics, and appropriate mechanical properties for soft tissue applications, as well as enhanced scaffold cell penetration and tissue in-growth characteristics. This work demonstrates that the PGS/PLLA scaffolds have potential for applications in adipose tissue engineering