Optimization of structural and mechanical properties of electro-spun biodegradable scaffolds for vascular vissue regeneration

• Main Author: Khatib, Rodaina Omar
• Other Authors: Franz, Thomas
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3408

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references. === Current replacements for diseased arteries include autologous and artificial grafts. The availability of autologous grafts is limited and artificial grafts tend to fail when applied to small calibre vessels (<;6 mm) due to graft thrombosis and mechanical mismatch between artery and graft. Tissue engineering offers a promising approach to overcome these shortcomings. With porosity as a fundamental prerequisite for tissue ingrowth, several techniques have been introduced for producing porous scaffolds including electro-spinning. This study involved the development and optimisation of electro-spun biodegradable scaffolds for vascular tissue regeneration by tailoring parameters of the electro-spinning process and investigating the change in mechanical and physical properties of the scaffolds associated with hydrolytic in vitro degradation.