Scaffold Permeability as a Means to Determine Fiber Diameter and Pore Size of Electrospun Fibrinogen

The purpose of this study was to construct a flowmeter that could accurately measure the hydraulic permeability of electrospun fibrinogen scaffolds, providing insight into the transport properties of electrospun scaffolds while making the measurement of their topographical features (fiber and pore size) more accurate. Three different concentrations of fibrinogen were used (100, 120, and 150mg/ml) to create scaffolds with three different fiber diameters and pore sizes. The fiber diameters and pore sizes of the electrospun scaffolds were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and image analysis software. The permeability of each scaffold was measured and used to calculate permeability-based fiber diameters and pore sizes, which were compared to values obtained through image analysis. Permeability measurement revealed scaffold permeability to increase linearly with fibrinogen concentration, much like average fiber diameter and pore size. Comparison between the two measurement methods proved the efficacy of the flowmeter as a way to measure scaffold features.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2006

Author dc:creator

• Sell, Scott Allen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Gary L. Bowlin

• tissue engineering
• extracellular matrix
• permeability
• fiber diameter
• pore size
• fibrinogen
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
• Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1311

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2310