Development of Chitosan Based Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration: A Preliminary Report

An ideal scaffold for bone regeneration will provide adequate mechanical support and eventually degrade after bone healing without causing harm to the body. Chitosan, mixed with carboxymethyl chitosan, creates a scaffold with high porosity, but low mechanical strength. Therefore, the objective of this research is to develop biofunctional chitosan based scaffolds for possible application in bone regeneration, and characterize the mechanical properties, degradation rates, and porosity of these scaffolds. It was hypothesized that chitosan combined with hydroxyapatite will result scaffolds which will provide a stable biodegradation rate and suitable mechanical properties while bone regenerates. Hydroxyapatite was added to the solution of carboxymethyl chitosan to enhance the mechanical properties of the scaffolds created from the mixture. This solution was mixed with a chitosan solution, creating the scaffolds for analysis. Morphology of the scaffolds was determined using a Scanning Electron Microscope to evaluate the porosity of the scaffolds. Compression testing was done to determine the mechanical strength of the scaffolds. Qualitative assessment revealed a porous structure throughout each scaffold. It was noted that the addition of hydroxyapatite increased the mechanical stability of each scaffold tested. It was concluded, chitosan based composite can provide the needed mechanical support for regenerating bone, which was inclusive of a 3D environment.