Biomaterials
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Porous PLGA/PVA scaffolds were fabricated by blending poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to improve the hydrophilicity and cell compatibility of the scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. PLGA/PVA blend scaffolds with different PVA compositions up to 20wt% were fabricated by a melt-molding particulate-leaching method (non-solvent method). The prepared scaffolds were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry, the measurements of water contact angles and bi-axial tensile strengths, etc. for their surface and bulk characterizations. ⋯ The results were evaluated by histology examinations. The PLGA/PVA (5wt%) blend scaffold showed better bone ingrowth into the scaffold and new bone formation inside the scaffold than the PLGA scaffold. It seems that 5% addition of PVA to PLGA to fabricate PLGA/PVA blend scaffolds is enough for improving the hydrophilicity and cell compatibility of the scaffolds.