Hydroxyapatite nano-particles coating on the pore surface within poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold

This paper describes a novel method for coating hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) nano-particles onto poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold. Paraffin micro-spheres were used as porogens to create porous scaffolds and as vehicles to transfer HA into PLGA scaffold. HA nano-particles / 50% ethanol suspension was mixed with paraffin micro-spheres. The paraffin micro-spheres / HA suspension were pressed together to form a paraffin scaffold. After it was dried, the HA was coated on the surface of the paraffin spheres. Then, PLGA solution was cast into the inter space among the paraffin micro-spheres and then the solvent was evaporated. Afterwards, the paraffin micro-spheres were dissolved and removed. PLGA scaffolds with controlled pore size, good interconnectivity and high porosity were obtained. The HA nano-particles were transferred from the paraffin surface to the surface of the pore wall throughout the PLGA scaffold.