Incorporation of Proteins into Polymer Materials by a Novel Supercritical Fluid Processing Method

A very clean route to porous materials, utilizing the combination of conventional solution and supercritical fluid processing, is exploited to prepare porous tissue engineering scaffolds that contain biologically active material for controlled release. This allows accurate dosing of the biological agent, whilst retaining the advantages of supercritical fluid technology. The retention of biological activity throughout the processing is also demonstrated. A wide range of alternative morphologies, including microparticles, are possible simply via control of the method of depressurization.