A microfabricated porous collagen-based scaffold as prototype for skin substitutes

Biomed Microdevices. 2008 Jun;10(3):459-67. doi: 10.1007/s10544-007-9155-2.

Abstract

An important element of artificial skin is a tissue scaffold that allows for fast host regeneration. We present a microfabrication strategy, based on gelling collagen-based components inside a microfluidic device, that produces well-controlled pore sizes inside the scaffold. This strategy can produce finely patterned tissue scaffolds of clinically relevant dimensions suitable for surgical handling. Compared to porous collagen-based sponges produced by lyophilization, microfabricated tissue scaffolds preserve the fibrous structure and ligand density of natural occurring collagen. A fibroblast migration assay revealed fast cellular migration through the pores, which is desired for rapid tissue ingrowth. Finally, we also demonstrate a strategy to use this microfabrication technique to build anatomically accurate, multi-component skin substitutes in a cost-effective manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / chemistry*
  • Collagen Type I / ultrastructure*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology*
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • Materials Testing
  • Miniaturization
  • Pilot Projects
  • Porosity
  • Rats
  • Skin, Artificial*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Collagen Type I