REINFORCED COLLAGEN-GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN SCAFFOLDS FOR CARTILAGE REPAIR USING 3D-PRINTED POLYMERS

Damage to articular cartilage is difficult to treat, as it has a low capacity to regenerate. Biomimetic natural polymer scaffolds can potentially be used to regenerate cartilage. Collagen hyaluronic acid (CHyA) scaffolds have been developed in our laboratory to promote cell infiltration and repair of articular cartilage. However, the low mechanical properties of such scaffolds potentially limit their use to the treatment of small cartilage defects. 3D-printed polymers can provide a reinforcing framework in these scaffolds, thus allowing their application in the treatment of larger defects. The aim of this study was to create mechanically functional biomaterial scaffolds by incorporating a CHyA matrix into 3D-printed polymer meshes resulting in an integrated porous material composite with improved mechanical properties for repair of large cartilage defects. 3D-printed meshes were developed to facilitate an architecture suitable for nutrient flow, cell infiltration, and even CHyA incorporation. And the mesh...