Influence of mineralized collagen fibrils on the thermo-sensitivity of an injectable scaffold for bone regeneration

Mineralized collagen fibrils are the basis for various connective tissues such as bone and cartilage. Injectable biomaterials incorporating mineralized collagen fibrils are applicable to a wide variety of implant types for bone regeneration. A mineralized collagen fibrils/chitosan thermo-sensitive and injectable scaffold for bone regeneration was prepared successfully. The thermo-sensitive properties of the mineralized collagen fibrils/chitosan system depended on the concentrations of mineralized collagen fibrils. 0.02 g mL-1 of mineralized collagen fibrils filler was appropriate for application since it allowed lower gelation temperature and more rapid gelation following injection, due to the increased hydrogen bonds between the collagen in mineralized collagen fibrils and chitosan.