Textile Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Textile scaffolds for tissue engineering provide three-dimensional fibre architectures that guide cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation to regenerate damaged or diseased tissues. Electrospun scaffolds (PCL, PLA, PLGA, gelatin, collagen at 50–500 nm fibre diameter) mimic extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrillar architecture with porosity of 80–95%, pore sizes of 1–20 µm, and specific surface area of 5–50 m²/g (BET). Woven and braided scaffolds (PGA, PLA at 50–200 µm fibre diameter) provide higher mechanical strength (tensile modulus 0.5–5.0 GPa) for load-bearing applications including bone (scaffold modulus 0.1–5.0 GPa required), tendon (200–1,800 MPa), and cartilage (0.5–1.0 MPa). Bioresorbable scaffold degradation rate is matched to tissue ingrowth kinetics: PGA (complete absorption 60–90 days), PLA (12–24 months), PCL (24–36 months). Cell seeding density of 10⁶–10⁷ cells/cm² and dynamic bioreactor culture (rotational, perfusion, or compression bioreactors) achieve 80–95% scaffold colonisation within 7–14 days. FDA 510(k) clearance pathway or PMA approval is required for commercial tissue-engineered products. Global tissue engineering market is projected to reach $19.8 billion by 2030.