PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) Electrospun Scaffolds for Nerve Graft Engineering: A Comparative Study on Piezoelectric and Structural Properties, and In Vitro Biocompatibility.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymer with trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) are considered as promising biomaterials for supporting nerve regeneration because of their proven biocompatibility and piezoelectric properties that could stimulate cell ingrowth due to their electrical activity upon mechanical deformation. For the first time, this study reports on the comparative analysis of PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) electrospun scaffolds in terms of structural and piezoelectric properties as well as their in vitro performance. A dynamic impact test machine was developed, validated, and utilised, to evaluate the generation of an electrical voltage upon the application of an impact load (varying load magnitude and frequency) onto the electrospun PVDF (15-20 wt%) and P(VDF-TrFE) (10-20 wt%) scaffolds. The cytotoxicity and in vitro performance of the scaffolds was evaluated with neonatal rat (nrSCs) and adult human Schwann cells (ahSCs). The neurite outgrowth behaviour from sensory rat dorsal root ganglion neurons cultured on the scaffolds was analysed qualitatively. The results showed (i) a significant increase of the ß-phase content in the PVDF after electrospinning as well as a zeta potential similar to P(VDF-TrFE), (ii) a non-constant behaviour of the longitudinal piezoelectric strain constant d33, depending on the load and the load frequency, and (iii) biocompatibility with cultured Schwann cells and guiding properties for sensory neurite outgrowth. In summary, the electrospun PVDF-based scaffolds, representing piezoelectric activity, can be considered as promising materials for the development of artificial nerve conduits for the peripheral nerve injury repair.

Force induced piezoelectric effect of polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene nanofibrous scaffolds.

Polyvinylidene fluoride and its co-polymer with trifluoroethylene are promising biomaterials for supporting nerve regeneration processes because of their proven biocompatibility and piezoelectric properties that could stimulate cell ingrowth due to electrical activity upon mechanical deformation. This study reports the piezoelectric effect of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride scaffolds in response to mechanical loading. An impact test machine was used to evaluate the generation of electrical voltage upon application of an impact load. Scaffolds were produced via electrospinning from polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene with concentrations of 10-20 wt% dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone (6:4). The structural and thermal properties of scaffolds were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry, respectively. The piezoelectric response of the scaffolds was induced using a custom-made manual impact press machine. Impact forces between 0.4 and 14 N were applied. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry results demonstrated the piezoelectric effect of the electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene scaffolds. All the scaffolds exhibited a piezoelectric polar beta-phase formation. Their thermal enthalpies were higher than the value of the initial materials and exhibited a better tendency of crystallization. The electrospun scaffolds exhibited piezoelectric responses in form of voltage by applying impact load. Polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene scaffolds showed higher values in the range of 6-30 V as compared to pure polyvinylidene fluoride. Here, the mechanically induced electrical impulses measured were between 2.5 and 8 V. Increasing the impact forces did not increase the piezoelectric effect. The results demonstrate the possibility of producing electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene scaffolds as nerve guidance with piezoelectric response. Further experiments must be carried out to analyze the piezoelectricity at dynamic conditions.

Measurement of Ex Vivo Porcine Lens Shape During Simulated Accommodation, Before and After fs-Laser Treatment.

PURPOSE: According to Helmholtz, accommodation is based on the flexibility of the crystalline lens, which decreases with age, causing presbyopia. With femtosecond (fs)-lentotomy treatment, it is possible to restore the flexibility of presbyopic lenses. The efficiency of the treatment can be systematically evaluated using the finite element method based on experimental data. The purpose of this study was to quantify the shape change of ex vivo lenses in different accommodation states according to the fs-lentotomy treatment. METHODS: Five lenses with ciliary body excised from ex vivo porcine eyes (age: approximately 6 months, exact age unknown) were stretched in an accommodation device before and after laser treatment. Depending on the accommodation state, the lens shape, reconstructed from lens thickness, diameter, and anterior and posterior curvature, was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The complete lens shape was parameterized and each measured parameter was compared to the results of a control group (n = 5, age: approximately 6 months, exact age unknown) without treatment. RESULTS: The amplitudes of the parameters thickness (+140%), diameter (+54%), and anterior radius of curvature (+57%) significantly increased after treatment (P < 0.05), and showed no significant change for the control group. By contrast, the amplitude of the posterior radius of curvature showed no change after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the lens shape in different accommodation states was successful and showed significant changes after the treatment. The resulting data will be utilized as input for a finite element model to systematically evaluate the effect of fs-lentotomy treatment in future work.