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Manufacture of multimicrotubule chitosan nerve conduits with novel molds and characterization in vitro
Author(s) -
Ao Qiang,
Wang Aijun,
Cao Wenling,
Zhang Ling,
Kong Lijun,
He Qing,
Gong Yandao,
Zhang Xiufang
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.30593
Subject(s) - materials science , chitosan , electrical conduit , composite material , swelling , polymer , porosity , mold , phase (matter) , pedestal , chemical engineering , mechanical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Multimicrotubule chitosan conduits (M‐conduits) were fabricated using novel molds and a thermal‐induced phase‐separation technique. Hollow chitosan conduits (H‐conduits) with an inner diameter of 1–5 mm and a wall thickness of 0.2–1.0 mm were made, and then a novel mold composed of a styrofoam insulating pedestal with several holes and a stainless steel cover plate was used to make M‐conduits. In brief, corresponding H‐conduits were inserted upright into the holes of the styrofoam pedestal, and filled with chitosan solution, then rapidly covered with the precooled stainless steel cover plate, and then placed in a freezer. The styrofoam insulating pedestal enclosing the conduits could reduce the heat transfer through the side wall of the conduits. Gradual phase separation then occurred uniaxially in the presence of a unidirectional temperature gradient from the top end to the bottom end of the chitosan conduits. The phase‐separated polymer/solvent systems were then dried in a freeze‐dryer. The microtubule diameters were controlled by adjusting the polymer concentration and cooling temperature. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the mold‐based multimicrotubule chitosan conduits possessed suitable mechanical strength, microtubule diameter distribution, porosity, swelling, biodegradability, and nerve cell affinity, and so they showed potential for application as nerve tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006