1
|
Beachley V, Kuo J, Kasyanov V, Mironov V, Wen X. Biomimetic crimped/aligned microstructure to optimize the mechanics of fibrous hybrid materials for compliant vascular grafts. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 150:106301. [PMID: 38141364 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
The precise mechanical properties of many tissues are highly dependent on both the composition and arrangement of the nanofibrous extracellular matrix. It is well established that collagen nanofibers exhibit a crimped microstructure in several tissues such as blood vessel, tendon, and heart valve. This collagen fiber arrangement results in the classic non-linear 'J-shaped' stress strain curve characteristic of these tissues. Synthetic biomimetic fibrous materials with a crimped microstructure similar to natural collagen demonstrate similar mechanical properties to natural tissues. The following work describes a nanofabrication method based on electrospinning used to fabricate two component hybrid electrospun fibrous materials that mimic the microstructure and mechanical properties of vascular tissue. The properties of these samples can be precisely and predictably optimized by modifying fabrication parameters. Tubular grafts with biomimetic microstructure were constructed to demonstrate the potential of this fabrication method in vascular graft replacement applications. It was possible to closely match both the overall geometry and the compliance of specific blood vessels by optimizing graft microstructure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vince Beachley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
| | - Jonathan Kuo
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | | | - Vladimir Mironov
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology (MISIS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Xuejun Wen
- Institute for Engineering and Medicine, Virgina Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hosseinian H, Jimenez-Moreno M, Sher M, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Martinez-Chapa SO, Hosseini S. An origami-based technique for simple, effective and inexpensive fabrication of highly aligned far-field electrospun fibers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7083. [PMID: 37127746 PMCID: PMC10151330 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34015-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fabrication of highly aligned fibers by far-field electrospinning is a challenging task to accomplish. Multiple studies present advances in the alignment of electrospun fibers which involve modification of the conventional electrospinning setup with complex additions, multi-phased fabrication, and expensive components. This study presents a new collector design with an origami structure to produce highly-aligned far-field electrospun fibers. The origami collector mounts on the rotating drum and can be easily attached and removed for each round of fiber fabrication. This simple, effective, and inexpensive technique yields high-quality ultra-aligned fibers while the setup remains intact for other fabrication types. The electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers were assessed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), fiber diameter distribution, water contact angle (WCA), Fast Fourier Transform analysis (FFT), surface plot profile, and pixel intensity plots. We thoroughly explored the impact of influential parameters, including polymer concentration, injection rate, collector rotation speed, distance from the collector to the tip, and needle gauge number on fibers' quality and alignment. Moreover, we employed machine learning algorithms to predict the outcomes and classify the high-quality fibers instead of low-quality productions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Hosseinian
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Martin Jimenez-Moreno
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Mazhar Sher
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
| | - Aida Rodriguez-Garcia
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, 66455, San Nicolás, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | | | - Samira Hosseini
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
- Writing Lab, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cavanaugh M, Asheghali D, Motta CM, Silantyeva E, Nikam SP, Becker ML, Willits RK. Influence of Touch-Spun Nanofiber Diameter on Contact Guidance during Peripheral Nerve Repair. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:2635-2646. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- McKay Cavanaugh
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Darya Asheghali
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Cecilia M. Motta
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Elena Silantyeva
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Shantanu P. Nikam
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Matthew L. Becker
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Rebecca K. Willits
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Skrivanek J, Holec P, Batka O, Bilek M, Pokorny P. Optimization of the Spinneret Rotation Speed and Airflow Parameters for the Nozzleless Forcespinning of a Polymer Solution. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14051042. [PMID: 35267865 PMCID: PMC8914761 DOI: 10.3390/polym14051042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper addresses the changing of the process parameters of nozzleless centrifugal spinning (forcespinning). The primary aim of this study was to determine the dependence of the final product on the dosing of the polymer, the rotation speed of the spinneret and the airflow in order to determine the extent of the technological applicability of aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and its modifications. PVA was chosen because it is a widely used polymeric solution with environmentally friendly properties and good biodegradability. It is used in the health care and food packaging sectors. The nanofibrous layers were produced by means of a mobile handheld spinning device of our own construction. This mobile application of the spinning machine has several limitations compared to stationary laboratory equipment, mainly due to dimensional limitations. The uniqueness of our device lies in the possibility of its actual use outside the laboratory. In addition to improved mobility, another exciting feature is the combination of nozzleless forcespinning and fiber application using airflow. Dosing, the rotation speed of the spinnerets and the targeted and controlled use of air comprise the fundamental technological parameters for many devices that operate on a centrifugal force system. The rotation rate of the spinnerets primarily affects the production of fibers and their quality, while the airflow acts as a fiber transport and drying medium. The quality of the fibers was evaluated following the preparation of a testing set for the fiber layers. The most suitable combinations of rotation speed and airflow were then used in subsequent experiments to determine the ideal settings for the device. The solution was then modified by reducing the concentration to 16% and adding a surfactant, thus leading to a reduction in the diameters of the resulting fibers. The nanofiber layers so produced were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to analyze the number of defects and to statistically evaluate the fiber diameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josef Skrivanek
- Department of Textile Machine Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic; (O.B.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-48535-3764
| | - Pavel Holec
- Department of Nonwovens and Nanofibrous Materials, Faculty of Textile Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic; (P.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Ondrej Batka
- Department of Textile Machine Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic; (O.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Martin Bilek
- Department of Textile Machine Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic; (O.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Pavel Pokorny
- Department of Nonwovens and Nanofibrous Materials, Faculty of Textile Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic; (P.H.); (P.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Soltani S, Khanian N, Roodbar Shojaei T, Shean Yaw Choong T, Asim N. Fundamental and recent progress on the strengthening strategies for fabrication of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-derived electrospun CNFs: Precursors, spinning and collection, and post-treatments. J IND ENG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
6
|
Xin R, Ma H, Venkateswaran S, Hsiao BS. Electrospun Nanofibrous Adsorption Membranes for Wastewater Treatment: Mechanical Strength Enhancement. Chem Res Chin Univ 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-021-1095-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
|
7
|
Robinson AJ, Pérez-Nava A, Ali SC, González-Campos JB, Holloway JL, Cosgriff-Hernandez EM. Comparative Analysis of Fiber Alignment Methods in Electrospinning. MATTER 2021; 4:821-844. [PMID: 35757372 PMCID: PMC9222234 DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2020.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Fabrication of anisotropic materials is highly desirable in designing biomaterials and tissue engineered constructs. Electrospinning has been broadly adopted due to its versatility in producing non-woven fibrous meshes with tunable fiber diameters (from 10 nanometers to 10 microns), microarchitectures, and construct geometries. A myriad of approaches have been utilized to control fiber alignment of electrospun materials to achieve complex microarchitectures, improve mechanical properties, and provide topographical cellular cues. This review provides a comparative analysis of the techniques developed to generate fiber alignment in electrospun materials. A description of the underlying mechanisms that drive fiber alignment, setup variations for each technique, and the resulting impact on the aligned microarchitecture is provided. A critical analysis of the advantages and limitations of each approach is provided to guide researchers in method selection. Finally, future perspectives of advanced electrospinning methodologies are discussed in terms of developing a scalable method with precise control of microarchitecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Robinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712, United States
| | - Alejandra Pérez-Nava
- Biological and Chemical Research Institute, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás, de Hidalgo, Morelia, 58030, Mexico
| | - Shan C. Ali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712, United States
| | - J. Betzabe González-Campos
- Biological and Chemical Research Institute, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás, de Hidalgo, Morelia, 58030, Mexico
| | - Julianne L. Holloway
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy,Arizona State University, Tempe, 85287, Arizona, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Conte AA, Sun K, Hu X, Beachley VZ. Effects of Fiber Density and Strain Rate on the Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Nanofiber Mats. Front Chem 2020; 8:610. [PMID: 32793555 PMCID: PMC7385238 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines the effects of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber density and strain rate on nanofiber mat mechanical properties. An automated track collection system was employed to control fiber number per mat and promote uniform individual fiber properties regardless of the duration of collection. Fiber density is correlated to the mechanical properties of the nanofiber mats. Young's modulus was reduced as fiber density increased, from 14,901 MPa for samples electrospun for 30 s (717 fibers +/- 345) to 3,615 MPa for samples electrospun for 40 min (8,310 fibers +/- 1,904). Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased with increasing fiber density, where samples electrospun for 30 s resulted in a UTS of 594 MPa while samples electrospun for 40 min demonstrated a UTS of 1,250 MPa. An average toughness of 0.239 GJ/m3 was seen in the 30 s group, whereas a toughness of 0.515 GJ/m3 was observed at 40 min. The ultimate tensile strain for samples electrospun for 30 s was observed to be 0.39 and 0.48 for samples electrospun for 40 min. The relationships between UTS, Young's modulus, toughness, and ultimate tensile strain with increasing fiber density are the result of fiber-fiber interactions which leads to network mesh interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano A. Conte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | - Katie Sun
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | - Vince Z. Beachley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jao D, Beachley VZ. Continuous Dual-Track Fabrication of Polymer Micro-/Nanofibers Based on Direct Drawing. ACS Macro Lett 2019; 8:588-595. [PMID: 35619372 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript proposes a continuous and straightforward method for fabricating suspended micro- and nanodiameter polymer fibers using an automated single-step drawing system. Termed track spinning, the system is based on a simple manual fiber drawing process that is automated by using two oppositely rotating tracks. Fibers are continuously spun by direct contact of polymer solution coated tracks followed by mechanical drawing as the distance between the tracks increases. The device can draw single or multifilament arrays of micro- and nanofibers from many kinds of polymers and solvent combinations. To demonstrate, fibers were pulled from polymer solutions containing polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and polyurethane (PU). Fiber morphology was smooth and uniform, and the diameter was sensitive to draw length and polymer solution/melt properties. Polymer nanofibers with diameters as small as 450 nm and length of 255 mm were produced. The track spinning method is able to form fibers from high viscosity solutions and melts that are not compatible with some other nanofiber fabrication methods. Further, the setup is simple and inexpensive to implement and nozzleless and does not require an electric field or high-velocity jets, and the tracks can be widened and patterned/textured to enhance fiber yield and manufacturing precision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dave Jao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Vince Z. Beachley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zargarian SS, Haddadi-Asl V, Kafrashian Z, Azarnia M, Mirhosseini MM, Seyedjafari E. Surfactant-assisted-water-exposed versus surfactant-aqueous-solution-exposed electrospinning of novel super hydrophilic polycaprolactone based fibers: Analysis of drug release behavior. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 107:597-609. [PMID: 30417973 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Surface hydrophilicity and scaffold integrity determine the drug release behavior of drug loaded electrospun fibrous mats. When mixture miscibility is acceptable, blend electrospinning of hydrophobic with hydrophilic polymers can improve scaffold hydrophilicity while the hydrophobic polymer maintains the mechanical strength of scaffold. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Pluronic P123 (P123) blend electrospinning has been investigated. In routine blend electrospinning, surface enrichment of Pluronic sets a limit for P123 weight ratio in which exceeding from that limit causes the excess P123 to be accumulated within the electrospun fiber core. To overcome this setback, a method named surfactant assisted water exposed (SAWE) electrospinning was introduced which was proven to be effective for increasing the surface enrichment of Pluronic. In order to test the validity of this method, the electrospinning of solution containing PCL which is exposed to aqueous solution of P123 was investigated. This new method was named surfactant aqueous solution exposed (SASE) electrospinning. Myelin formation at the contact interface of aqueous solution and chloroform solution was studied and it was found that this layer can effectively barricade the migration of Pluronic chains between immiscible phases. For SASE, fiber surface coverage by P123 was uneven and loose. Electrospun scaffolds from SAWE and SASE were loaded with drug to investigate the effect of the exposure time during electrospinning on in vitro drug release. By increasing the exposure time, the abnormal two-stage phased release profile of SAWE became normal with moderate initial burst. Longer exposure time increased the initial burst of the drug loaded SASE fibers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 597-609, 2019.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Shahrooz Zargarian
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Haddadi-Asl
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Kafrashian
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Azarnia
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ehsan Seyedjafari
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
DeFrates KG, Moore R, Borgesi J, Lin G, Mulderig T, Beachley V, Hu X. Protein-Based Fiber Materials in Medicine: A Review. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 8:E457. [PMID: 29932123 PMCID: PMC6071022 DOI: 10.3390/nano8070457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Fibrous materials have garnered much interest in the field of biomedical engineering due to their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, porosity, and tunability. Specifically, in the field of tissue engineering, fiber meshes have been used to create biomimetic nanostructures that allow for cell attachment, migration, and proliferation, to promote tissue regeneration and wound healing, as well as controllable drug delivery. In addition to the properties of conventional, synthetic polymer fibers, fibers made from natural polymers, such as proteins, can exhibit enhanced biocompatibility, bioactivity, and biodegradability. Of these proteins, keratin, collagen, silk, elastin, zein, and soy are some the most common used in fiber fabrication. The specific capabilities of these materials have been shown to vary based on their physical properties, as well as their fabrication method. To date, such fabrication methods include electrospinning, wet/dry jet spinning, dry spinning, centrifugal spinning, solution blowing, self-assembly, phase separation, and drawing. This review serves to provide a basic knowledge of these commonly utilized proteins and methods, as well as the fabricated fibers’ applications in biomedical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey G DeFrates
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Robert Moore
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Julia Borgesi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Guowei Lin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Thomas Mulderig
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Vince Beachley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Brennan DA, Conte AA, Kanski G, Turkula S, Hu X, Kleiner MT, Beachley V. Mechanical Considerations for Electrospun Nanofibers in Tendon and Ligament Repair. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701277. [PMID: 29603679 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Electrospun nanofibers possess unique qualities such as nanodiameter, high surface area to volume ratio, biomimetic architecture, and tunable chemical and electrical properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of nanofibrous architecture to direct cell morphology, migration, and more complex biological processes such as differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition through topographical guidance cues. These advantages have created great interest in electrospun fibers for biomedical applications, including tendon and ligament repair. Electrospun nanofibers, despite their nanoscale size, generally exhibit poor mechanical properties compared to larger conventionally manufactured polymer fiber materials. This invites the question of what role electrospun polymer nanofibers can play in tendon and ligament repair applications that have both biological and mechanical requirements. At first glance, the strength and stiffness of electrospun nanofiber grafts appear to be too low to fill the rigorous loading conditions of these tissues. However, there are a number of strategies to enhance and tune the mechanical properties of electrospun nanofiber grafts. As researchers design the next-generation electrospun tendon and ligament grafts, it is critical to consider numerous physiologically relevant mechanical criteria and to evaluate graft mechanical performance in conditions and loading environments that reflect in vivo conditions and surgical fixation methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Brennan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Rowan Hall Glassboro NJ 08028 USA
| | - Adriano A. Conte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Rowan Hall Glassboro NJ 08028 USA
| | - Gregory Kanski
- Cooper Bone and Joint Institute and Cooper Medical School, Rowan University 3 Cooper Plaza Camden NJ 08103 USA
| | - Stefan Turkula
- Cooper Bone and Joint Institute and Cooper Medical School, Rowan University 3 Cooper Plaza Camden NJ 08103 USA
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Rowan Hall Glassboro NJ 08028 USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Rowan Hall Glassboro NJ 08028 USA
| | - Matthew T. Kleiner
- Cooper Bone and Joint Institute and Cooper Medical School, Rowan University 3 Cooper Plaza Camden NJ 08103 USA
| | - Vince Beachley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Rowan Hall Glassboro NJ 08028 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Biocompatible Silk/Polymer Energy Harvesters Using Stretched Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) Nanofibers. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:polym9100479. [PMID: 30965782 PMCID: PMC6418575 DOI: 10.3390/polym9100479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Energy harvested from human body movement can produce continuous, stable energy to portable electronics and implanted medical devices. The energy harvesters need to be light, small, inexpensive, and highly portable. Here we report a novel biocompatible device made of poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers on flexible substrates. The nanofibers are prepared with electrospinning followed by a stretching process. This results in aligned nanofibers with diameter control. The assembled device demonstrates high mechanical-to-electrical conversion performance, with stretched PVDF-HFP nanofibers outperforming regular electrospun samples by more than 10 times. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveals that the stretched nanofibers have a higher β phase content, which is the critical polymorph that enables piezoelectricity in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is initially selected as the substrate material for its low cost, high flexibility, and rapid prototyping capability. Bombyx Mori silkworm silk fibroin (SF) and its composites are investigated as promising alternatives due to their high strength, toughness, and biocompatibility. A composite of silk with 20% glycerol demonstrates higher strength and larger ultimate strain than PDMS. With the integration of stretched electrospun PVDF-HFP nanofibers and flexible substrates, this pilot study shows a new pathway for the fabrication of biocompatible, skin-mountable energy devices.
Collapse
|
14
|
Jao D, Xue Y, Medina J, Hu X. Protein-Based Drug-Delivery Materials. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 10:E517. [PMID: 28772877 PMCID: PMC5459032 DOI: 10.3390/ma10050517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There is a pressing need for long-term, controlled drug release for sustained treatment of chronic or persistent medical conditions and diseases. Guided drug delivery is difficult because therapeutic compounds need to survive numerous transport barriers and binding targets throughout the body. Nanoscale protein-based polymers are increasingly used for drug and vaccine delivery to cross these biological barriers and through blood circulation to their molecular site of action. Protein-based polymers compared to synthetic polymers have the advantages of good biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental sustainability, cost effectiveness and availability. This review addresses the sources of protein-based polymers, compares the similarity and differences, and highlights characteristic properties and functionality of these protein materials for sustained and controlled drug release. Targeted drug delivery using highly functional multicomponent protein composites to guide active drugs to the site of interest will also be discussed. A systematical elucidation of drug-delivery efficiency in the case of molecular weight, particle size, shape, morphology, and porosity of materials will then be demonstrated to achieve increased drug absorption. Finally, several important biomedical applications of protein-based materials with drug-delivery function-including bone healing, antibiotic release, wound healing, and corneal regeneration, as well as diabetes, neuroinflammation and cancer treatments-are summarized at the end of this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dave Jao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Ye Xue
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Jethro Medina
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| |
Collapse
|