Comprehensive collagen crosslinking comparison of microfluidic wet-extruded microfibers for bioactive surgical suture development

Collagen microfiber-based constructs have garnered considerable attention for ligament, tendon, and other soft tissue repairs, yet with limited clinical translation due to strength, biocompatibility, scalable manufacturing, challenges. Crosslinking collagen fibers improves mechanical properties; however, questions remain regarding optimal crosslinking chemistries, biodegradation, long-term stability, potential biotextile assemble at scale, limiting their usefulness. Here, we assessed over 50 different chemistries on microfluidic wet-extruded microfibers made clinically relevant optimize as a yarn suture or medical device manufacture. The endogenous crosslinker, glyoxal, provides extraordinary fiber ultimate tensile strength near 300MPa, Young's modulus of 3GPa while retaining 50% the initial load-bearing capacity through 6 months hydrated. Glyoxal crosslinked further proved cytocompatible biocompatible per ISO 10993-based testing, elicits predominantly M2 macrophage response. Remarkably these strong are amenable industrial braiding form sutures. wet extrusion glyoxal thus progress bioengineered, strong, stable significantly towards use potentially promoting efficient healing compared existing materials. Towards improving outcomes 1 million ligament tendon surgeries performed annually, report an advanced process type I microfiber manufacturing biological manufacturing. This manuscript reports most extensive compendium published date, providing tremendous recourse field. clinical-grade exhibit stability that surpasses all prior reports. is first demonstrating native has ability produce cytocompatible, microfibers. These ideal research surgical tissue-engineered products sports medicine, orthopedics, indications.