Microporous biodegradable polyurethane membranes for tissue engineering.

Microporous membranes with controlled pore size and structure were produced from biodegradable polyurethane based on aliphatic diisocyanate, poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diol and isosorbide chain extender using the modified phase-inversion technique. The following parameters affecting the process of membrane formation were investigated: the type of solvent, solvent-nonsolvent ratio, polymer concentration in solution, polymer solidification time, and the thickness of the polymer solution layer cast on a substrate. The experimental systems evaluated were polymer-N,N-dimethylformamide-water, polymer-N,N-dimethylacetamide-water and polymer-dimethylsulfoxide-water. From all three systems evaluated the best results were obtained for the system polymer-N,N-dimethylformamide-water. The optimal conditions for the preparation of microporous polyurethane membranes were: polymer concentration in solution 5% (w/v), the amount of nonsolvent 10% (v/v), the cast temperature 23 degrees C, and polymer solidification time in the range of 24-48 h depending on the thickness of the cast polymer solution layer. Membranes obtained under these conditions had interconnected pores, well defined pore size and structure, good water permeability and satisfactory mechanical properties to allow for suturing. Potential applications of these membranes are skin wound cover and, in combination with autogenous chondrocytes, as an "artificial periosteum" in the treatment of articular cartilage defects.