Biomimetic Boundary-Based Scaffold Design for Tissue Engineering Applications.

The design of optimized scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a key topic of current research, as the complex macro- and micro-architectures required for scaffold applications depend not only on the mechanical properties but also on the physical and molecular queues of the surrounding tissue within the defect site. Thus, the prediction of optimal features for tissue engineering scaffolds is very important, for both its physical and biological properties.The relationship between high scaffold porosity and high mechanical properties is contradictory, as it becomes even more complex due to the scaffold degradation process. Biomimetic design has been considered as a viable method to design optimum scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. In this research work, the scaffold designs are based on biomimetic boundary-based bone micro-CT data. Based on the biomimetic boundaries and with the aid of topological optimization schemes, the boundary data and given porosity is used to obtain the initial scaffold designs. In summary, the proposed scaffold design scheme uses the principles of both the boundaries and porosity of the micro-CT data with the aid of numerical optimization and simulation tools.

Design of tissue engineering scaffolds based on hyperbolic surfaces: structural numerical evaluation.

Tissue engineering represents a new field aiming at developing biological substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve tissue functions. In this approach, scaffolds provide a temporary mechanical and vascular support for tissue regeneration while tissue in-growth is being formed. These scaffolds must be biocompatible, biodegradable, with appropriate porosity, pore structure and distribution, and optimal vascularization with both surface and structural compatibility. The challenge is to establish a proper balance between porosity and mechanical performance of scaffolds. This work investigates the use of two different types of triple periodic minimal surfaces, Schwarz and Schoen, in order to design better biomimetic scaffolds with high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity and good mechanical properties. The mechanical behaviour of these structures is assessed through the finite element method software Abaqus. The effect of two parametric parameters (thickness and surface radius) is also evaluated regarding its porosity and mechanical behaviour.

Structural and vascular analysis of tissue engineering scaffolds, Part 1: Numerical fluid analysis.

Rapid prototyping technologies were recently introduced in the medical field, being particularly viable to produce porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. These scaffolds should be biocompatible, biodegradable, with appropriate porosity, pore structure, and pore distribution on top of presenting both surface and structural compatibility. This chapter presents the state-of-the-art in tissue engineering and scaffold design using numerical fluid analysis for optimal vascular design. The vascularization of scaffolds is an important aspect due to its influence regarding the normal flow of biofluids within the human body. This computational tool also allows to design either a scaffold offering less resistance to the normal flow of biofluids or reducing the possibility for blood coagulation through forcing the flow toward a specific direction.

Structural and vascular analysis of tissue engineering scaffolds, Part 2: Topology optimisation.

Rapid prototyping technologies were recently introduced in the medical field, being particularly viable to produce porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. These scaffolds should be biocompatible, biodegradable, with appropriate porosity, pore structure, and pore distribution, on top of presenting both surface and structural compatibility. Surface compatibility means a chemical, biological, and physical suitability with the host tissue. Structural compatibility corresponds to an optimal adaptation to the mechanical behaviour of the host tissue. This chapter presents a computer tool to support the design of scaffolds to be produced by rapid prototyping technologies. The software enables to evaluate scaffold mechanical properties as a function of porosity and pore topology and distribution, for a wide rage of materials, suitable for both hard and soft tissue engineering.