Date of Graduation
5-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Tian, Ryan
Committee Member/Reader
Muldoon, Timothy J.
Committee Member/Second Reader
Wolchok, Jeffrey C.
Committee Member/Third Reader
Quinn, Kyle
Abstract
In the field of orthopedic devices implant loosening is a major issue resulting in the majority of device failures. These failures result in the need for costly secondary procedures. To reduce device loosening an improved method of tissue anchoring is required. A previously studied titanate nanofiber bioscaffold has been shown to be safely implantable and to contribute to the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteocytes. Through the customization of both physical and chemical characteristics this titanate nanofiber bioscaffold was fabricated as a potential means to enhance tissue anchoring for use with orthopedic devices. This customization was enabled by acoustic cavitation and cation exchange. Acoustic cavitation through sonication was implemented to produce macrocavities of various sizes, ranging from 2-360µm, on the scaffold surface. Different solutions including DDI water and chloride salts were tested to determine optimal conditions for macrocavity formation. Cation exchange was achieved through placing the scaffold in a chloride salt solution and applying high heat and pressure. Different solution compositions and concentrations, exposure temperatures, and exposure times were tested. SEM, EDAX, and XRD were used to confirm changes. The resulting bioscaffold is unique with controllable 3D self-assembling nanostructures and the capacity for precise control of its chemical composition.
Citation
Hopkins, J. (2016). Customization of Titanate Nanofiber Bioscaffolds. Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/bmeguht/30
