Preparation and Analysis of PCL Spun Chitosan Scaffolds as Guidance Channels for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Abstract

The results of this work show that the process of oriented solidification and lyophilisation is able to produce porous chitosan scaffolds with appropriate porosity and pore size for nerve regeneration. Interesting in this context are the results of statistical analysis of image analysis from SEM micrographs of uncrosslinked and UV cross-linked samples. The average pore size and mean minimum pore diameter show only small differences if the cooling rate is varied from B = 1…5 K / min and the temperature gradient from G = 1, 1.5, 2.0 K / mm. The average pore size (cross sectional area) of these samples can be estimated with reasonable accuracy, with 2100 μm². The average minimum pore diameter is within the range of 36-38 μm. These values are in a favourable range for the cell growth of nerve regeneration.