pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S08 - Polymer Foams
Oral Presentation
 
 

Microcellular Injection Molding and Particulate Leaching of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Scaffolds

Mi Haoyang (1), Jing Xin (1), Turng Lih-Sheng (1)*, Peng Xiang-fang (2)

(1) University of Wisconsin-Madison - WI - USA, (2) South China University of Technology - Guangdong - China

Microcellular injection molding and particulate leaching methods were combined to fabricate porous and interconnected thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) tissue engineering scaffolds. Water soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and sodium chloride (NaCl) were used as porogens to improve the porosity and interconnectivity as well as the hydrophilicity of the scaffolds. The effect of each factor—namely, PVOH, NaCl, and microcellular injection molding—on scaffold morphology was investigated. It was found that the microcellular injection molding process was effective at producing high pore density and porosity. The addition of PVOH decreased the pore diameter and increased the pore density. Furthermore, scaffolds with NaCl and PVOH porogens had better interconnectivity. The residual PVOH improved the hydrophilicity of the scaffold.