Electrospun polylactide (PLA) nanofiber nonwovens are promising candidates for applications in tissue engineering. They may combine the advantageous chemical properties of PLA with a highly porous three-dimensional structure, which promotes the transportation of nutrients and the cell proliferation into the scaffolds. In this work, we tested different laser micro material processing strategies to optimize the surface topography of PLA nanofiber nonwovens for cell attachment. It was found, that the wetting behavior of the nonwoven samples could be switched between a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic behavior by balancing laser induced thermal processes and gentle laser ablation.
Electrospun nanofibers mats have a great potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Their high porosity and enormous volume to surface ratio stimulate the growth and adhesion of mammalian cells and serve as a stable support structure. These suitable properties can be further optimized by structuring of the nanofibers. Ultrashort pulsed lasers can be used for modifying of the electrospun nanofibers without significant heat exposure. It seems also possible to generate very fine cuts from the fiber mats.
In this study, polyamide electrospun nanofibers samples were processed with picosecond UV-laser irradiation (λ = 355 nm, τ = 15 ps). The samples were processed in dry, wet and immersed condition. To optimize cutting and structuring of nanofiber tissue flakes, the influence of different laser parameters on line widths, edge quality, heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the contamination of the fibers by ablated particles (debris) were examined. One additional aim was the minimization of the flake size. It was possible to generate nanofiber flakes in the sub-millimeter range. The quality of the nanofiber flakes could be improved by ablation near the ablation threshold of the material. For cutting under wet conditions shrinking of the flakes has to be taken into account.
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