Materials Experience with Biomedical Constructs

Biomaterial Summary
Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) This commonly used biodegradable polymer can be used to form a rigid 3D scaffold structure with pores and struts. It can also be used for cytokine, antigen, or drug delivery.
Collagen type I This biological, partially soluble, hydrogel can be used for cell encapsulation within 3D constructs, or as part of the scaffold structure.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) This biological hydrogel is thicker than collagen, and can be used to encapsulate cells or for layering different cell types within the scaffold structure.
Poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) (PPF–PEG) PPF has the ability to crosslink in situ to make strong, porous scaffolds. Adding PEG hydrogel creates a more flexible construct for cell encapsulation.
Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) Made from poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), this is an excellent shape-holding hydrogel due to inverse-temperature gelation; it is also a good drug carrier.
Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) PEO and PEG hydrogels are easily soluble and can hold shape very well.
Fibrinogen and thrombin Put together, these materials form fibrin, an insoluble, stable, biodegradable hydrogel found in blood clots.
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) and poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) A strong, naturally produced, biodegradable plastic with a range of melting points, from low (60°C for P4HB) to high (> 175°C for P3HB), used in cardiovascular applications.
(PLGA-co-PEG)-triblock-dimethacrylate (PPTD) PLGA is a popular biomaterial with good constructive properties, and combining it with PEG dimethacrylate makes it a good hydrogel biomaterial.
Extracellular matrices (ECMs): Small intestine submucosa (SIS) and urinary bladder mucosa (UBM) Natural and biodegradable materials that can be used for scaffolds, but may require additional processing such as homogenization.
Calfskin gelatin A good biodegradable material for scaffold fabrication, when deposited warm.