Poly(caprolactone) Shape Memory Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Using synthetic scaffolds as a vessel for bone tissue engineering is a promising technique that could address current limitations associated with autologous grafts, such as donor site scarcity and morbidity. In this study, we aimed to synthesize a biocompatible scaffold with controllable pore morphology that could be used to fill critical size defects through the shape memory effect. To achieve this goal we used a porogen-leaching technique in which a shape memory poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was cured in the presence of salt particles, which were subsequently removed to create high porosity in the scaffold. The overall shape memory behavior of the scaffold was investigated and it was found that the material exhibited greater than 99 % shape fixing and 93 % shape recovery. Preliminary cell culture studies on a non-triggered scaffold showed that cells readily attached to the material and remained viable within the scaffold.