Preparation and characterization of a highly macroporous biodegradable composite tissue engineering scaffold

A unique composite scaffold for bone‐tissue engineering applications has been prepared by combining biodegradable poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) with bioresorbable calcium phosphate (CaP) cement particles through the process of particle fusion and phase separation/particle leaching. The scaffold is characterized by a highly interconnected macroporosity, with macropores of 0.8–1.8 mm and porosities ranging from 81% to 91%, and improved mechanical properties with respect to the polymer alone, producing excellent dimensional stability. The scaffold properties were controlled by adjusting the processing parameters, including PLGA molar mass and concentration, CaP/PLGA ratio, and porogen size. The differences in mechanical properties between dry, wet/room temperature, and wet/37°C testing conditions, of which the latter are more relevant for materials to be employed in a biological milieu, were investigated. Thus, a scaffold made from PLGA IV 1.13, PLGA concentration 12.5%, and CaP/PLGA ratio 2:1 exhibited significantly different compressive strengths of 0.16 MPa and 0.04 MPa when tested under dry and wet/37°C conditions, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 71A: 480–487, 2004