Electro-spinning and ligament replacement

Question 1

Explain electrospinning

Answer 1

????

Question 2

What is the effect of increasing voltage on the fibre diameter in electrospinning?

Answer 2

Initially, the fibre diameter decreases, then as the voltage keeps increasing, it then increases

Question 3

What is the effect of increasing collector distance on the fibre diameter in electrospinning?

Answer 3

The fibre diameter increases
Beyond a certain distance, it may increase instead, due to significantly weakened field strength

Question 4

What is the effect of increasing solution conductivity on the fibre diameter in electrospinning?

Answer 4

Increasing solution conductivity increases stretching, decreasing diameter

Question 5

What are the functional requirement os a replacement ligament eg ACL

Answer 5

Carry tensile mechanical load
Create an environment to regenerate tissue
High strain, low load, then increase stiffness

Question 6

What is the design and manufacture approach for a replacement ligament

Answer 6

Function - Mechanically functional tissue scaffold
Shape - Copy/mimic ECM of ligament
Process - Electrospinning
Material - PVA, PCL