Formation of continuous collagen fibres: evaluation of biocompatibility and mechanical properties.

Reconstituted collagen fibres have potential applications in repair of soft and hard tissues. Preliminary studies conducted in our laboratory suggest that discontinuous reconstituted type I fibres have strengths similar to those of fibres teased from tendons. The purpose of this paper is to report a method for continuous collagen fibre production and the properties of fibres produced. Ultimate tensile mechanical properties and biocompatibility of continuous type I collagen fibres were studied and compared with the properties of fibres produced manually (discontinuous fibres). In general, continuously made cyanamide cross-linked fibres show slightly inferior mechanical properties and faster biodegradation rates compared with manually made fibres because of minor differences in the fibreformation protocol introduced by design constraints. However, continuous and discontinuous fibres crosslinked with glutaraldehyde had comparable properties. These results demonstrate that production of 50 microns diameter continuous collagen fibre is possible.