Tissue Engineering Applications of Polyurethane Scaffolds

Polyurethane scaffolds have become central to tissue engineering due to their adaptable mechanical properties, controllable biodegradability and biocompatibility. Their segmented architecture allows tuning of stiffness, elasticity and degradation kinetics for diverse applications, from bone and cartilage repair to neural and cardiovascular tissue regeneration. Advanced fabrication techniques such as electrospinning, freeze-drying and additive manufacturing permit precise control over pore size, interconnectivity and surface chemistry, which in turn support cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Incorporation of bioactive fillers—such as hydroxyapatite, ceramics or growth factors—further enhances osteoconductivity or promotes angiogenesis, underpinning efforts to translate laboratory constructs into clinical therapies across global healthcare settings. Ongoing research focuses on hybrid composites, injectable precursors and green processing routes to meet regulatory standards and address large-scale production challenges.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored porous three-dimensional polyurethane‐based biocomposites reinforced with diatomite and hydroxyapatite, demonstrating improved compressive strength and thermal stability tailored for bone regeneration. Controlled incorporation of mineral fillers yielded homogeneous pore architecture and enhanced mechanical resilience, supporting osteogenic cell attachment and mineral deposition in vitro. These findings underscore the potential of hybrid polyurethane foams to function as load-bearing scaffolds for large defect repairs.

Tissue Engineering Applications of Polyurethane Scaffolds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in tissue engineering applications of polyurethane scaffolds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Polyurethane (PU): A versatile class of polymers composed of urethane linkages, valued for tunable elasticity, strength and degradability in scaffold fabrication.

Scaffold porosity: The fraction of void space within a scaffold, crucial for cell infiltration, nutrient transport and vascularisation.

Hydroxyapatite (HA): A calcium phosphate ceramic that mimics bone mineral, often incorporated into polymers to enhance osteoconductivity.

Electrospinning: A technique that uses an electric field to draw thin polymer fibres, creating high-surface-area scaffolds with nanometre-scale features.

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU): An emulsion-based PU system free of organic solvents, enabling green scaffold fabrication with tunable degradation rates.

References

1. In Vitro Effects of Waterborne Polyurethane 3D Scaffolds Containing Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)s of Different Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Ratios on the Inflammatory Response. Polymers (2023).
2. Electrospun polyurethane/hydroxyapatite bioactive Scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: The role of solvent and hydroxyapatite particles. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials (2014).
3. Preparation and characterization of diatomite and hydroxyapatite reinforced porous polyurethane foam biocomposites. Scientific Reports (2020).
4. Biomimetic Polyurethane 3D Scaffolds Based on Polytetrahydrofuran Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol for Soft Tissue Engineering. Polymers (2020).