Chitosan Tissue Scaffolds by Emulsion Templating

A novel method for producing porous chitosan gels with controllable pore size and volume fraction has been developed. Complex-shaped 3D objects can be fabricated. Chitosan gels produced with the method are believed to be suitable candidates for tissue scaffolds. The method involves creating an oil-in-water emulsion in which the water phase contains chitosan and a temperature-activated cross-linking agent. The emulsion can then be poured or injected into a mould with the shape of the desired object. The chitosan is cross-linked by heating the emulsion to about 75 degrees C for about 15 min. The gelled object is then washed to remove the oil phase and surfactant. The gels were then dried in air, and further washed in ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy was then used to observe the pore size and fraction. The amount of porosity is directly proportional to the amount of oil phase. The pore size is controlled by the size of the oil droplets which is controlled primarily by the amount of surfactant added.