Functional Tissue Reconstruction with the Use of Biologic Scaffolds

Biologic scaffold materials derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM) of intact mammalian tissues are recognized as possessing constructive remodeling properties and have been used successfully in a variety of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications in both preclinical studies and clinical practice. This chapter provides an overview of the composition and structure of selected ECM scaffold materials, the effects of manufacturing methods upon the structural properties and resulting mechanical behavior of the scaffold materials, and the in-vivo degradation and remodeling of ECM scaffolds. Finally, the potential application of ECM scaffold materials to regeneration of endocrine tissues is discussed.