Microcellular Injection Molding and Particulate Leaching of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Scaffolds.

Microcellular injection moldingand particulate leaching methods were combined to fabricate porousand interconnectedthermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) tissue engineering scaffolds. Water soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and sodium chloride (NaCl) were used as porogens to improve the porosity and interconnectivity, as well as the hydrophilicity, of the scaffolds. The effect of each factor--namely, PVOH, NaCl, and microcellular injection molding--on scaffold morphology was investigated. It was found that the microcellular injection molding processwas effectiveatproducing high pore density and porosity. The addition of PVOH decreasedthe pore diameter and increasedthe pore density. Furthermore, scaffolds with NaCl and PVOH porogens hadbetter interconnectivity. The residual PVOH improved the hydrophilicity of the scaffold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]