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An analysis of the integration between articular cartilage and nondegradable hydrogel using magnetic resonance imaging†
Article first published online: 5 OCT 2005
DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.30404
Published Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Issue
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Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials
Volume 77B, Issue 1, pages 144–148, April 2006
Additional Information
How to Cite
Ramaswamy, S., Wang, D.-A., Fishbein, K. W., Elisseeff, J. H. and Spencer, R. G. (2006), An analysis of the integration between articular cartilage and nondegradable hydrogel using magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, 77B: 144–148. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.30404
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 FEB 2006
- Article first published online: 5 OCT 2005
- Manuscript Accepted: 8 JUN 2005
- Manuscript Revised: 31 MAY 2005
- Manuscript Received: 4 APR 2005
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- magnetic resonsnce imaging (MRI);
- hydrogel;
- cartilage;
- integration;
- transverse relaxation time (T2)
Abstract
A hydrogel is a highly hydrated polymer gel suitable for use as a scaffold for tissue engineering. One important application is to the repair of cartilage defects due to injury or osteoarthritis. Integration of the hydrogel with surrounding tissue is critical for the long-term functionality of the implant; however direct visualization of integration is difficult and invasive. Accordingly, we used MRI to noninvasively investigate the integration of hydrogel in cartilage. Two integration methods were assessed: (1) cartilage-initiated and (2) chemical, using chondroitin sulphate–methacrylate-aldehyde (CS-MA-ald) as an adhesive. These were compared to a control group, that is, standard, nonintegrated hydrogel photopolymerization. Spatial variation of the transverse relaxation time, T2, across the transition region was used to determine the effectiveness of integration. In the CS-MA-ald group only, two interfaces were found. This provides evidence of an intermediate adhesive layer between hydrogel and cartilage. Second, the thickness of the transition region between hydrogel to cartilage in the CS-MA-ald group was 1.32 mm as compared to 1.20 mm and 1.17 mm in the tissue-initiated and nonintegrated groups, respectively. We interpret this as a more gradual transition region of hydrogel to cartilage and hence a greater degree of integration when an adhesive layer is present. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006