Hydrodynamic spinning of hydrogel fibers

Hydrogel scaffolds are highly hydrated polymer networks that allow cells to adhere, proliferate and differentiate in the treatment of diseased or injured tissues and organs. Using hydrodynamic shaping and in situ cross-linking of hydrogel precursors, we have developed a highly efficient "hydrodynamic spinning" approach for synthesizing hydrogel fibers of different diameters in a multiphase coaxial flow. A triple-orifice spinneret has been created, and three different types of hydrogel precursors have been examined. Without changing the spinning head, hollow and solid hydrogel fibers with different diameters have been spun by simply manipulating the ratio of input flow rates. Together with the ability of simultaneous cell-seeding in the hydrogel matrix, hydrodynamic spinning can be broadly applied to many hydrogel materials, providing a powerful technique in the preparation of fiber-like and tubule-like hydrogel constructs for tissue engineering. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved