Evaluation of Crosslinking Methods and Characterization of Surface Features of a Collagen-Based Dermal Equivalent

摘要

This work involves the development and testing of a new crosslinking method used in preparation of a collagen-based dermal equivalent. In addition to this, the sponge surface characteristics and the control of these characteristics has been studied. This new dermal equivalent is more fibrous and open meshed, and is more like the in vivo extracellular matrix than those reported in the literature. Three different crosslinking procedures were studied that involved succinimidyl ester formation. One of the procedures, where collagen was exposed to succinic anhydride, N-hydroxysuccinimide and cyanamide prior to sponge formation, resulted in the longest collagenase resistance time and had the highest value of the volume fraction of polymer. Sponge topography was studied after variation of pH and freezing conditions. The results of these studies indicate that: (1) the optimum pH range for uniform fibrous microstructure was between 3.5 and 3.75 and (2) the most uniform sponges were obtained after freezing in an ethanol bath at -55 C. Sponges prepared under these conditions are similar in their morphology to the well known fibrous scaffold that reinforces all mammalian extracellular matrices. These sponges are useful as a temporary biodegradeable dressing to enhance wound healing between the time of mechanical or thermal injury and the time that autografting is possible.