Development of a Novel Technique for Scaffold Fabrication and its Characterizations: Wire-Network Molding (WNM) Technique

In this study, we proposed a novel method which has several merits: guaranteed interconnectivity, solvent free, and unnecessary expensive devices. For the proposed novel method named as Wire-Network Molding, firstly, we prepare a mold with designed shape. Secondly, rectangular wires with thickness size 300 mu m, 400 mu m or 620 mu m are inserted to make space for interconnected pore. After that, melted PCL (polycaprolactone) which is one of synthetic polymers with biocompatibility is filled in the mold and the mold is cooled at room temperature. Subsequently, wires are separated from the mold and the mold is removed from PCL. Consequently, the remained PCL has interconnected pores with a configuration of wire-network. To analyze the compressive modulus of the fabricated scaffold, UTM compression test is carried out. Moreover, we compare the compressive modulus of the fabricated scaffold with that of bio-plotter scaffold. Additionally, for scaffolds with 300 pm, 400 pm pore size, cell culture experiments are carried out using human Mesenchymal stem cell and cell-cultural characteristics are assessed compared with particulate-leaching scaffold.