Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of PU/PLDL Sponges Intended for Grafting Injured Spinal Cord

The study focuses on creating sponges from polyurethane (PU) and polylactide (PLDL) blends to help heal injured spinal cords. These sponges are designed to fill gaps in the injured spinal cord, offering a supportive structure for nerve regeneration. The sponges were tested for their mechanical properties, how well they break down in artificial spinal fluid, and whether they are toxic to cells. The goal is to create a material that is both strong enough to provide support and safe for use in the body. The results suggest that these PU/PLDL sponges could be promising for helping spinal cords heal. They show good compatibility with cells and degrade at a controllable rate, making them suitable for further research and potential future use in treating spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  The porosity of the sponges decreased with the increase of polylactide content, influencing the mechanical properties.
• 2
  The rise of polylactide content caused an increase of Young modulus and rigidity.
• 3
  Sponges underwent continuous degradation with varying degradation rates depending on the polymer composition.