Electrospun composite scaffolds

While in class today, the graduate students were going over certain types of ventricular assist devices, as well as stents. This reminded me of the really excellent field ahead of us and the possibilities for designing devices that can help people in the near future. I decided to do some research on some of the current studies and products being developed right now. I discovered a biocompatible and elastomeric nanofibrous scaffold that is electrospun from a blend of poly(1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) [POC] and poly(L-lactic acid) -co-poly-(3-caprolactone) [PLCL] for application as a bioengineered patch for cardiac tissue engineering. The characterization of the scaffolds was carried out by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile measurement. The tensile strength, weight ratio, and Young’s Modulus of the scaffold were all comparable to native cardiac tissue. The proliferation of cardiac myoblast cells on the electrospun POC/PLCL scaffolds was found to increase from Days 2 to 8. The morphology and cytoskeletal observation of the cells also demonstrated the biocompatibility of the POC containing scaffolds. Electrospun POC/PLCL4060 nanofibers are promising elastomeric substrates that might provide the necessary mechanical cues to cardiac muscle cells for regeneration of the heart. 

http://www.educus.com/Journals/R22328272-1.html