Scaffolds with tubular/isotropic Bi-modal pore structures by gas foaming and fiber templating

The aim of this study was to engineer a scaffold for tissue engineering with double shape pore architecture, with tubular and isotropic pores. A novel method is herein proposed, based on the combination of gas foaming and fiber templating. In particular, the tubular pores have been obtained by leaching of melt-spun saccharide fibers (cotton candy) within CO2-foamed poly(epsilon-caprolactone). The optimization of the scaffold has been conducted via the selection of the proper saccharide, its thermal treatment to stabilize the spun fiber (crystallization), the formation of the polymer-fiber composite, the selection of the proper gas-foaming processing parameter and the final leaching in water. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.