Abstract:
The design and development of transparent membranes that provide good mechanical
strength, water permeability, cell adhesion, less cytotoxicity and less degradation rate
to cornea is a major challenge in corneal bioengineering. In current research, we
fabricated collagen PVA based membranes by using different concentration of 2%, 4%
and 6% of chemical crosslinker TEOF. Investigated the physical properties such as
optical measurement, swelling studies, contact angle and degradation rates of
membranes based on different concentration of TEOF. Results demonstrated that
collagen PVA based membranes with 2% TEOF and 4% TEOF showed similar
properties just like native cornea and it is a promising candidate for the development of
artificial cornea for example contact angle of 2% TEOF and 4% TEOF are 54o and 570
respectively similar to the contact angle of cornea 590. These membranes showed good
transparency and degradation properties.
