Electrospun Poli-E-Caprolactone for Biomedical Use

Policaprolactone (PCL) is a polymer that has been widely studied for biomedical use mainly due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability and strength. The polymer was processed using the electrospinning technology, were a highly porous nonwoven membrane can be produced from a polymeric solution. PCL solution was prepared dissolving 20 %wt of polymer in a 1:1 solvent mixture of acetone and chloroform. Process parameters were set in order to obtain elevated porosity, by collecting fibers with wide diameter dispersion and random disposition along the plain target. Also, the collected samples were submitted to thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and “in vitro” tests using adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells. A confocal fluorescence analysis was also realized so that the material could be characterized with more fidelity and therefore better understood. Tests results demonstrated that the material was effective not only to proliferate but also to promote a better anchoring off the cells throughout the fibrous surface.