Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
J Appl Biomater Funct Mater. 2012;10(3):177-84. doi: 10.5301/JABFM.2012.10354.
Intervertebral disk degeneration is the main cause of chronic back pain. Disk degeneration often leads to tearing of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and extrusion of the nucleus pulposus (NP), which compresses the nerves. Current treatment involves removing the herniated NP and suturing the damaged AF tissue. This surgical approach has several drawbacks. In this study, we designed a biodegradable AF closure system comprising a tissue engineering scaffold, a supporting membrane and an adhesive material, to not only restore the function of the herniated disc but also to promote tissue regeneration.
Porous scaffolds with precisely defined architectures were built by stereolithography using resins based on poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) macromers functionalized with methacrylate endgroups. In addition, a porous photo-cross-linked PTMC membrane was developed that can be used to keep the scaffold in place in the AF tissue.
After synthesis and characterization, the components of the implant are glued together and to the AF tissue using a diisocyanate glue based on polyethylene glycol-PTMC triblock copolymers. The adhesion strengths of the materials to each other and to AF tissue were determined in lap-shear tests.
This study showed that a device for AF tissue engineering can be prepared from PTMC-based scaffolds, membranes and glues.
椎间盘退变是慢性腰痛的主要原因。椎间盘退变常导致纤维环（AF）撕裂和髓核（NP）突出，压迫神经。目前的治疗方法包括切除突出的 NP 并缝合受损的 AF 组织。这种手术方法有几个缺点。在这项研究中，我们设计了一种由组织工程支架、支撑膜和粘性材料组成的可生物降解的 AF 封闭系统，不仅可以恢复椎间盘的功能，还可以促进组织再生。
使用基于聚（三亚甲基碳酸酯）（PTMC）大分子单体的甲基丙烯酸酯端基功能化的树脂，通过立体光刻技术构建具有精确定义结构的多孔支架。此外，还开发了一种多孔光交联的 PTMC 膜，可用于将支架固定在 AF 组织中。
在合成和表征后，使用基于聚乙二醇-PTMC 嵌段共聚物的二异氰酸酯胶将植入物的各个组件粘在一起，并粘接到 AF 组织上。通过搭接剪切试验测定了材料之间以及与 AF 组织之间的粘附强度。
本研究表明，一种基于 PTMC 的支架、膜和胶可用于制备 AF 组织工程的装置。
