Polymer scaffold use has become commonplace in tissue engineering strategies. Scaffolds provide sturdy interfaces that securely anchor tissue engineered constructs to their designated locations. Researchers have used scaffolds to provide support to developing tissues as well as a growth template to aid the development of the desired phenotypic structure. In addition to using scaffolds for their mechanical support, scaffolds can be used as a diagnostic tool by attaching sensors. Strain gauge sensors have been attached to scaffolds to monitor compression and elongation. These polybutylterphalate (PBT) scaffolds were used in a cartilage tissue-engineering project for femoral cartilage repair. The aim of this project was to measure native cartilage pressure in normal canine stifle joints using strain gauge scaffolds. By using pressure sensitive films to confirm joint surface pressures determined with strain gauge measurements, "sensate" scaffolds were created to be able to provide in vivo joint loading measurements. An understanding of the in vivo pressures in the menisco-femoral joint space will facilitate the development of tissue engineered cartilage by determining chondrocyte mechanical triggers as well as helping define reasonable expectations for engineered articular cartilage tissue that is required for successful cartilage repair.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/194815 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Bliss, Cody Larry |
| Contributors | Szivek, John A., Szivek, John A, Hoying, James B., Ruth, John T., Simon, Bruce R. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Electronic Dissertation |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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