Scaffold Biodegradation

Studies have shown that the degradation rate of biodegradable scaffolds is dependent on mechanical loading and fluid flow (Agrawal et al., Biomaterials, 2000, Kang et al., Medical Engineering & Physics, 2009).  Bose® test instruments allow for scaffold degradation to be studied under dynamic loading conditions that mimic the in vivo environment.  As the biomaterial degrades, its mechanical properties typically deteriorate over time.  This type of data is critical for many tissue engineering applications such as in load-bearing tissues where tissue remodeling needs to take place before the scaffold’s mechanical properties have become unacceptable due to rapid degradation.

For biodegradable scaffolds with acidic by-products such as lactic and glycolic acid, real-time pH measurements available with Bose systems can provide an indirect measurement of the biomaterial’s degradation rate.  Alternatively, chamber fluid samples can easily be obtained using the chamber’s ports or fluid perfusion loop.

Key Testing Performance Benefits