FIG. 7.

Grating interferometry (GI) of TEVV constructs. GI analysis of PGA–poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) starter matrices showed homogeneous scaffold networks (a–d; unconditioned bare scaffold material). After dynamic in vitro conditioning (conditioned samples: e–l) inhomogeneous degradation of the scaffold matrix was observed (blue lines indicate major degradation zones; e–h). After crimping of the construct, the aspect of “shifting” of the ECM components could be observed with areas of biological matrix accumulation and areas with less matrix present (i–l; red line: area without substantial neomatrix present). [Pre-CRI=before crimping; Post-CRI=after crimping]. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tec