ABSTRACT
Abstract: Tissue engineering has provided exciting technologies for the development of functional substitutes aimed to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Inspired by the hierarchical nature of tissues and cells in the body organs, biomaterials are gaining a singular attention for tissue engineering, owing to their ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and hence the growth of new organ. To address this, biopolymers are the choice of materials due to their similarities with extracellular matrices, specic degradation rates and good biological performance. Therefore,
this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the recent achievements relating to the design of scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering. Biomaterials related to both natural and synthetic polymers with their properties and applications are discussed in this chapter with the prime aim of putting more emphasis on tissue engineering. The processing methodologies employed for the preparation of scaffolds, such as solvent casting, freeze-drying, phase separation, particulate-leaching, and so on are discussed suitably. Rapid prototyping (RP) and electrospinning for the production of 3D structures
21.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 344 21.2 Scaffolds ......................................................................................................................................................................... 344
21.2.1 Biocompatibility ............................................................................................................................................. 344 21.2.2 Biodegradability ............................................................................................................................................. 345 21.2.3 Mechanical Properties .................................................................................................................................... 345 21.2.4 Geometry ........................................................................................................................................................ 345
21.3 Biomaterials ................................................................................................................................................................... 345 21.3.1 Natural Polymer Scaffolds ............................................................................................................................. 345
21.3.1.1 Protein-Based Biomaterials ......................................................................................................... 345 21.3.1.2 Polysaccharide-Based Biomaterials ............................................................................................. 346
21.3.2 Synthetic Polymer Scaffolds ........................................................................................................................... 346 21.3.3 Hydrogels-Based Scaffolds ............................................................................................................................. 346 21.3.4 Ceramic-Based Scaffolds ............................................................................................................................... 346
21.4 Scaffold Fabrication Techniques .................................................................................................................................... 347 21.4.1 Solvent Casting ............................................................................................................................................... 347 21.4.2 Particulate Leaching ....................................................................................................................................... 348 21.4.3 Gas Foaming .................................................................................................................................................. 348 21.4.4 Phase Separation ............................................................................................................................................. 348 21.4.5 Electrospinning............................................................................................................................................... 348 21.4.6 Self-Assembly ................................................................................................................................................. 349 21.4.7 Rapid Prototyping........................................................................................................................................... 349 21.4.8 Freeze Drying ................................................................................................................................................. 350 21.4.9 Melt Moulding ................................................................................................................................................ 350 21.4.10 Additive Manufacturing .................................................................................................................................. 350
21.4.10.1 Fused Deposition Modelling........................................................................................................ 350 21.4.10.2 Stereolithography ......................................................................................................................... 350 21.4.10.3 Bioprinting ....................................................................................................................................351 21.4.10.4 Selective Laser Sintering ..............................................................................................................351
21.5 Challenges and Future Perspectives ................................................................................................................................351 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................................... 352 References ................................................................................................................................................................................. 352
