Selective laser sintering of porous tissue engineering scaffolds from poly(L: -lactide)/carbonated hydroxyapatite nanocomposite microspheres

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2008 Jul;19(7):2535-40. doi: 10.1007/s10856-007-3089-3. Epub 2007 Jul 10.

Abstract

This study focuses on the use of bio-nanocomposite microspheres, consisting of carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHAp) nanospheres within a poly(L: -lactide) (PLLA) matrix, to produce tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds using a modified selective laser sintering (SLS) machine. PLLA microspheres and PLLA/CHAp nanocomposite microspheres were prepared by emulsion techniques. The resultant microspheres had a size range of 5-30 microm, suitable for the SLS process. Microstructural analyses revealed that the CHAp nanospheres were embedded throughout the PLLA microsphere, forming a nanocomposite structure. A custom-made miniature sintering platform was installed in a commercial Sinterstation((R)) 2000 SLS machine. This platform allowed the use of small quantities of biomaterials for TE scaffold production. The effects of laser power; scan spacing and part bed temperature were investigated and optimized. Finally, porous scaffolds were successfully fabricated from the PLLA microspheres and PLLA/CHAp nanocomposite microspheres. In particular, the PLLA/CHAp nanocomposite microspheres appeared to be promising for porous bone TE scaffold production using the SLS technique.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone Substitutes / chemistry*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydroxyapatites / chemistry*
  • Hydroxyapatites / radiation effects
  • Lasers*
  • Materials Testing
  • Microspheres
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / radiation effects
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Surface Properties
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Bone Substitutes
  • Hydroxyapatites
  • Polyesters
  • poly(lactide)