Development of degradable polymeric film mimicking cartilage tissue

Articular cartilage has a poor ability to heal once damaged. Tissue engineering with the scaffold of polymer is promising for cartilage regeneration and repair. Our Final Year Design project provides an insight into the development of degradable polymeric films mimicking cartilage tissue. Our s

Project Title

Development of degradable polymeric film mimicking cartilage tissue

Project Area of Specialization

Biomedical Engineering

Project Summary

Articular cartilage has a poor ability to heal once damaged. Tissue engineering with the scaffold of polymer is promising for cartilage regeneration and repair. Our Final Year Design project provides an insight into the development of degradable polymeric films mimicking cartilage tissue. Our study focuses on the development of an elastic and biodegradable composite scaffold that is biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, can effectively mimic cartilage tissue, and deliver mechanical strength associated with the surrounding environment. Biomaterials are explored for the best suitable fabrication of Degradable Polymeric films mimicking cartilage tissue, through extensive literature review and research of already existent persuasions. A polymeric film consists of Synthetic polymer (Polyvinyl Alcohol) along with natural polysaccharide (Sodium Alginate). Sodium Alginate (SA) is a biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-immunogenic biopolymer. While Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a hydrophilic synthetic polymer with good biocompatibility and toughness. The polymeric films are prepared via a chemical crosslinking technique.

Project Objectives

The Aim and Objective of our study are to develop and characterize degradable polymeric film mimicking cartilage tissue properties. 

Project Implementation Method

Procurement of material and reagents include; Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Sodium Alginate (SA), Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) tablets, Sodium hydroxide pallets, Hydrochloric Acid, Calcium Chloride dehydrate. Pure Deionized water has been used for the preparation of the solution in the entire study.

The techniques used for the preparation of material are the Freeze-Thaw process and Blending Via. magnetic stirrer. 

The copolymeric films of Sodium Alginate and Polyvinyl alcohol are fabricated with different compositions to determine the effect of compositions on their respective properties. The workflow of the experiment started by preparing a Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution. Sodium Alginate (SA) and Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are synthesized into a prepolymer through PBS solution. Through these prepolymers, the co-polymeric films were fabricated at different compositions (1:1, 3:2, 2:3) by using Calcium Chloride as a crosslinking reagent. At last, some characterization tests are conducted for further statistical analysis of the films.

The characterization techniques shall supposedly be Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Contact Angle, pH analysis, Degradation, and Swelling. These characterization techniques shall provide information based on the chemical composition and physical state of the sample, determine a material's thermal stability and its fraction of components by monitoring the weight change, demonstrate the behavior of Materials as a Function of Temperature or Time, identify the crystalline phases present in a material and thereby reveal chemical composition information, identify the elemental composition of materials, provides high-resolution imaging useful for evaluating various materials for surface fractures, flaws, contaminants or corrosion, indicate how well a liquid spreads over a surface, the reactivity of a material as a function of time, estimate the eventual failure time for the product, respectively.

Benefits of the Project

Fabricated polymeric films mimicking cartilage shall serve as a scaffold to cell proliferation due to the involvement of Sodium Alginate and has degradable properties due to PVA (poly vinyl alcohol). The project ensures the exploration and confirmation of a biocompatible material for cartilage fabrication at minimal procedures and expenditure as a patent. It is a hope to the industry of cartilage engineering and health to enhance the role of articular cartilage at risk in patients and reduce the ratio of patients in suffering living compromised daily life leading to healthy one. We aim to deliver a minimal budget raised fabricated deliverable to be countered as a special service in health for cartilage defects.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Fabricated polymeric films mimicking cartilage have yet been explored to be fabricated via four ratios (1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 1:2)  of SA:PVA and have been characterized via pH analysis, Tensile and swelling/degradation test for their characteristics at hand.  Acquiring the basic closure to mechanical strength and pH values the final deliverable is aimed to be biodegradable with an experimental exploration of involving prospective degradable material in the regime, manipulation of the freeze-thaw cycle to obtain porosity, and retaining it if it withstands with aims of our project. Manipulation of the technique for laying ratio in the mold to devise better mechanical strengths. Meanwhile retaining the baseline regime of formulation of polymers and freeze-thaw cycles, we aim to manipulate the variable criteria in order to develop the polymeric film that mimics the native cartilage in the closest aspects.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Health

Other Industries

Core Technology

Wearables and Implantables

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Reduced Inequality

Required Resources

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