Mechanical evaluation of bacterial nanocellulose as an implant material for ear cartilage replacement

Abstract

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a novel non-degradable biocompatible material that promotes chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation. In this work, its potential use in ear cartilage tissue engineering (TE) is investigated. Firstly, the mechanical properties of native ear cartilage are measured in order to set a preliminary benchmark for ear cartilage replacement materials. Secondly, the capacity of BNC to match these requirements is assessed. Finally, a biofabrication process to produce patient-specific BNC auricular implants is demonstrated. BNC samples (n=78) with varying cellulose content (2.5-15%) were compared using stress-relaxation indentation with human ear cartilage (n=17, from 4 ma..