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P. Madiwale et al.
Table 2 Requirements of scaffold materials
Biological requirements
Biocompatibility
Scaffold must be non-toxic and allow cell attachment,
proliferation and differentiation
Biodegradability
Scaffold material must degrade into non-toxic biomaterials
Controlled degradation rate The degradation rate of scaffold must be adjustable in order to
match the rate of tissue regeneration
Porosity
Appropriate porosity, micro and macro structure of the pores and
shape to allow tissue in-growth and vascularisation. Scaffolds
must be designed to maximise porosity while maintaining
mechanical properties
Mechanical and physical requirements
Strength and stiffness
Sufficient strength and stiffness to withstand stresses in the host
tissue environment. Mechanical properties of a scaffold must
initially match with the properties of the target tissue to provide
structural stability to the injured site
Surface finish
Adequate surface finish guaranteeing that a good biomechanical
coupling is achieved between the scaffold and the tissue
Sterilisation
Easily sterilised either by exposure to high temperatures or by
immersing in a sterilisation agent remaining unaffected by either
of these processes. The sterilisation process must not alter the
material’s chemical composition, as it may affect bioactivity,
biocompatibility or degradation properties
2. Pathways for easy transport of essential cell nutrients, oxygen throughout the
structure and removal of waste formed;
3. Biocompatibility with a high affinity for cells to attach and proliferate;
4. Exact desired structural dimensions that are matching with requirements and
5. Rate of degradation in line with and desired mechanical strength.
The specifications required of the scaffold materials in terms of its properties is
summarized in Table 2.
Properties required in a temporary tissue scaffold are concurrent with the properties of textile materials. Large surface area to volume ratio which is an essential
property of an textile fibres provides supports cell attachment in the textile structures
used as scaffolds. This large surface area also provide rapid diffusion of nutrient
responsible for cell growth and survival. Cotton and silk fibres known as king of
fibres and queen of fibres respectively, are both biodegradable in nature. These textile fibres have huge scope of application in the scaffold and tissue engineering. Thus
textile can contribute significantly in the field of the scaffold and tissue engineering
[29].
P. Madiwale et al.
Table 2 Requirements of scaffold materials
Biological requirements
Biocompatibility
Scaffold must be non-toxic and allow cell attachment,
proliferation and differentiation
Biodegradability
Scaffold material must degrade into non-toxic biomaterials
Controlled degradation rate The degradation rate of scaffold must be adjustable in order to
match the rate of tissue regeneration
Porosity
Appropriate porosity, micro and macro structure of the pores and
shape to allow tissue in-growth and vascularisation. Scaffolds
must be designed to maximise porosity while maintaining
mechanical properties
Mechanical and physical requirements
Strength and stiffness
Sufficient strength and stiffness to withstand stresses in the host
tissue environment. Mechanical properties of a scaffold must
initially match with the properties of the target tissue to provide
structural stability to the injured site
Surface finish
Adequate surface finish guaranteeing that a good biomechanical
coupling is achieved between the scaffold and the tissue
Sterilisation
Easily sterilised either by exposure to high temperatures or by
immersing in a sterilisation agent remaining unaffected by either
of these processes. The sterilisation process must not alter the
material’s chemical composition, as it may affect bioactivity,
biocompatibility or degradation properties
2. Pathways for easy transport of essential cell nutrients, oxygen throughout the
structure and removal of waste formed;
3. Biocompatibility with a high affinity for cells to attach and proliferate;
4. Exact desired structural dimensions that are matching with requirements and
5. Rate of degradation in line with and desired mechanical strength.
The specifications required of the scaffold materials in terms of its properties is
summarized in Table 2.
Properties required in a temporary tissue scaffold are concurrent with the properties of textile materials. Large surface area to volume ratio which is an essential
property of an textile fibres provides supports cell attachment in the textile structures
used as scaffolds. This large surface area also provide rapid diffusion of nutrient
responsible for cell growth and survival. Cotton and silk fibres known as king of
fibres and queen of fibres respectively, are both biodegradable in nature. These textile fibres have huge scope of application in the scaffold and tissue engineering. Thus
textile can contribute significantly in the field of the scaffold and tissue engineering
[29].