Hybrid sponge of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid), collagen and apatite

Biodegradable poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid), collagen and apatite have been hybridized to prepare a three-dimensional porous scaffold for hard tissue engineering. Collagen microsponges were first nested in the pores of a PLGA sponge to prepare PLGA-collagen sponge. And then the surfaces of collagen microsponges were deposited with apatite particulates by alternate immersion of PLGA-collagen sponge in CaCl2 and Na2HPO4 aqueous solutions to prepare the PLGA-collagen-apatite hybrid sponge. Observation of the hybrid sponge by scanning electron microscopy showed that collagen microsponges with interconnected pore structures were formed in the pores of PLGA sponge and that the pore surfaces were also covered with collagen. The deposited apatite particulates were flake-like and became denser and grew larger with repeated alternate immersion cycles. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis and X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the deposited particulates were hydroxyapatite.