Fig. 1: Fabrication and characterization of a bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) eluting poly-caprolactone/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PCL-TCP) implant.

a Schematic illustration of the HyTEC technique. After extrusion, PCL-TCP filament was consequently treated with chemicals, freeze-thaw, sonication, and hydrogel coating. b Tensile modulus of the filaments measured after different treatments (n = 3 independent samples per group). c Hydrogel loading efficiency of the filaments with different amounts of BMP-2 (0, 0.5 µg, 2 µg or 6 µg, n = 7 independent samples per group). d, e Photographs of a wet (d) and a freeze-dried (e) implant after coating. f Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of hydrogel-PCL-TCP filament interface from cross-sectional view. g SEM images of hydrogel-PCL-TCP filament interface from longitudinal view. h BMP-2 release profile in the implants loaded with 0.5 µg, 2 µg or 6 µg BMP-2 over 28 days (n = 3 independent samples per group). i BMP-2 release profile in the fresh-made or stored implants loaded with 2 µg BMP-2 over 28 days (n = 3 independent samples per group). Data are presented as scatter dot plot or curves with mean and s.e.m. values. This ex vivo characterization was repeated at least two times independently. Source data are provided as a Source data file.