Development of machines to engineer biocompatible matrices in ligament, filtering and 3D cell culture applications.

Abstract

This thesis investigates three possible applications of engineered matrices manufactured from Polycaprolactone and Nylon-6 using electrospinning techniques. A method to manufacture bio compatible scaffolds for biomedical applications was studied. The scaffold was manufactured using a Polycaprolactone-PEGDA matrix to increase the viability of growth of cells. Mouse osteoblast cells were cultured on the samples and incubated to check for viability of the cells. The procedure to analyze the samples were not conclusive to show the viability of cells within the samples tested. The use of electrospun Polycaprolactone nanofiber cloth as a functional air filter was tested. As a model for analysis the filters were exposed to a steady stream of air that was polluted by tobacco smoke. The filters were weighed before and after exposure to find the effectivity of filtration. The filters were also imaged using X-ray diffraction to show the effectivity of filtration. The analysis shows that the weight of the filter after filtration was increased by up to 12% by weight. Procedures to manufacture artificial Anterior Cruciate Ligament were investigated. Mechanical properties of the artificial ACL were compared to the properties of ACL harvested from three rabbits. Samples for comparison were made from Polycaprolactone, Nylon-6 and Polycaprolactone-Nylon-6 twisted pair, Polycaprolactone Braided triplet. Prepared samples were broken in a tensile testing machine and the tensile properties were compared to values for the ACL harvested from the host rabbit. The research shows that the samples made were not able to reach the capabilities of the native rabbit ACL.