Full-field strain distribution in hierarchical electrospun nanofibrous poly-L(lactic) acid/collagen scaffolds for tendon and ligament regeneration: A multiscale study
Alberto Sensini,
Olga Stamati,
Gregorio Marchiori,
Nicola Sancisi,
Carlo Gotti,
Gianluca Giavaresi,
Luca Cristofolini,
Maria Letizia Focarete,
Andrea Zucchelli,
Gianluca Tozzi
Affiliations
Alberto Sensini
Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration and cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Corresponding author. Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration and cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Olga Stamati
ESRF The European Synchrotron, Grenoble, France
Gregorio Marchiori
Surgical Sciences and Technologies, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
Nicola Sancisi
Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Carlo Gotti
Advanced Mechanics and Materials – Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (CIRI-MAM), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Gianluca Giavaresi
Surgical Sciences and Technologies, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
Luca Cristofolini
Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration and cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Health Sciences and Technologies—Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, I-40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
Maria Letizia Focarete
Health Sciences and Technologies—Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, I-40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy; Department of Chemistry 'G. Ciamician' and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Andrea Zucchelli
Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Advanced Mechanics and Materials – Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (CIRI-MAM), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Corresponding author. Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Gianluca Tozzi
Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, School of Engineering, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.
Regeneration of injured tendons and ligaments (T/L) is a worldwide need. In this study electrospun hierarchical scaffolds made of a poly-L (lactic) acid/collagen blend were developed reproducing all the multiscale levels of aggregation of these tissues. Scanning electron microscopy, microCT and tensile mechanical tests were carried out, including a multiscale digital volume correlation analysis to measure the full-field strain distribution of electrospun structures. The principal strains (εp1 and εp3) described the pattern of strains caused by the nanofibers rearrangement, while the deviatoric strains (εD) revealed the related internal sliding of nanofibers and bundles. The results of this study confirmed the biomimicry of such electrospun hierarchical scaffolds, paving the way to further tissue engineering and clinical applications.
