Chitosan-based biomimetic scaffolds and methods for preparing the same

publication date: 2011-12-14; filing date: 2010-06-04The invention concerns chitosan-based biomimetic scaffolds and methods for modulating their intrinsic properties such as rigidity, elasticity, resistance to mechanical stress, porosity, biodegradation and absorbance of exudates. Therefore, the present invention relates to a layered chitosan-based scaffold wherein said layered scaffold comprises at least two fused layers, wherein at least one layer consists of a chitosan nanofiber scaffold membrane and at least one of the other layers of a porous chitosan scaffold support layer. Moreover, the present invention provides a layered chitosan-based scaffold characterized by (i) a good adhesion between the porous and nanofiber layers, (ii) a tuneable porosity of the nanofiber layer by tuning the distance between the nanofibers, (iii) a stable nanofibers and porous morphology even when immersed in water or other solvents and a process for the preparation of such layered chitosan-based scaffold.Finally, the present invention provides the use of the layered electrospun chitosan-based scaffold of the invention or the layered electrospun chitosan-based scaffold produced by the process of the invention as a wound dressing, in tissue engineering or for biomedical applications