Helical, Spring and Curled Nano/Micro Fibrous Structures for Tissue Engineering Application.

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the engineering of helical, spring, curled, and hierarchically structured nano/microfibers has attracted considerable attention due to their unique characteristics and potential applications in tissue engineering and various industrial fields. Understanding the parameters and processes involved in the fabrication of these fibers is essential. This comprehensive review outlines recent advancements in research on helical nano/microfibers, focusing on processing techniques, fiber structure, and property characterization, and their applications in fields such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The study also investigates the mechanical and hydrodynamic parameters that influence the fabrication of helical fibers using contemporary techniques. It highlights that helical structures form when electric and elastic forces are balanced due to non-uniform electric fields. The coaxial electrospinning technique, along with the use of polymers with varying elastic and conductive properties, plays a crucial role in producing these structures. The distinctive properties of helical nanofibers, such as their mechanical strength, high porosity, biocompatibility, and ability to promote cellular activities, make them promising candidates for developing scaffolds in bone tissue engineering.