Advances of Textiles in Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
177
Hydrogels
The sol–gel transitions of aqueous silk fibroin solution in the presence of acids,
dehydrating agents, ions, sonication or lyophilisation are used to form silk hydrogel.
The major limitation of poor mechanical properties of these hydrogels is tackled
by blending it with various other biopolymers like PVA, polyacrylamide, gelatin,
chitosan, and collagen [32].
3-D Porous Scaffolds
Porous 3-D sponges are the ideal and most sought-after structures for tissue engineering scaffolds as they closely mimic the in vivo physiological micro-environment. Silk
scaffolds are prepared using various techniques like freeze drying, porogen leaching
and solid free form fabrication techniques. Freeze drying technique is studied widely
for further improving the characteristics of the scaffolds, solvent casting/particle
leaching or gas-foaming methods are also researched.
Silk Particles
Silk protein is also used in the form of particles which are obtained subjecting the
regenerated silk solution to various drying techniques like freeze drying and grinding,
spray drying, jet breaking, self-assembly and freeze-thawing. The silk particles can be
obtained directly from silk fibres by milling technique without using any hazardous
chemical.
But it has limitation of control over size of the particles. The silk particles are
used in drug delivery systems. Milled particles are particularly used for reinforcing
scaffolds to improve mechanical properties and cellular outcomes.
6.1.3 Application of Silk Fibroin
The various techniques used for construction of tissue scaffolds using silk as a starting material is described in the above section. Application of these scaffolds prepared using fibroin along with other biomaterials for the various tissue scaffolds is
summarized in Table 3.
6.2 Wool Based Scaffolds
Wool is a well-established animal fibre in the textile industry. The protective covering
or sheepskins or of other hairy mammals such as goats and camels are the sources
of wool fibres. An ancient man in due course cultured to make yarn and fabric from
177
Hydrogels
The sol–gel transitions of aqueous silk fibroin solution in the presence of acids,
dehydrating agents, ions, sonication or lyophilisation are used to form silk hydrogel.
The major limitation of poor mechanical properties of these hydrogels is tackled
by blending it with various other biopolymers like PVA, polyacrylamide, gelatin,
chitosan, and collagen [32].
3-D Porous Scaffolds
Porous 3-D sponges are the ideal and most sought-after structures for tissue engineering scaffolds as they closely mimic the in vivo physiological micro-environment. Silk
scaffolds are prepared using various techniques like freeze drying, porogen leaching
and solid free form fabrication techniques. Freeze drying technique is studied widely
for further improving the characteristics of the scaffolds, solvent casting/particle
leaching or gas-foaming methods are also researched.
Silk Particles
Silk protein is also used in the form of particles which are obtained subjecting the
regenerated silk solution to various drying techniques like freeze drying and grinding,
spray drying, jet breaking, self-assembly and freeze-thawing. The silk particles can be
obtained directly from silk fibres by milling technique without using any hazardous
chemical.
But it has limitation of control over size of the particles. The silk particles are
used in drug delivery systems. Milled particles are particularly used for reinforcing
scaffolds to improve mechanical properties and cellular outcomes.
6.1.3 Application of Silk Fibroin
The various techniques used for construction of tissue scaffolds using silk as a starting material is described in the above section. Application of these scaffolds prepared using fibroin along with other biomaterials for the various tissue scaffolds is
summarized in Table 3.
6.2 Wool Based Scaffolds
Wool is a well-established animal fibre in the textile industry. The protective covering
or sheepskins or of other hairy mammals such as goats and camels are the sources
of wool fibres. An ancient man in due course cultured to make yarn and fabric from