Image-based three-dimensional analysis to characterize the texture of porous scaffolds

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:161437. doi: 10.1155/2014/161437. Epub 2014 Jun 5.

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to characterize the microstructure of composite scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration containing different ratios of chitosan/gelatin blend and bioactive glasses. Starting from realistic 3D models of the scaffolds reconstructed from micro-CT images, the level of heterogeneity of scaffold architecture is evaluated performing a lacunarity analysis. The results demonstrate that the presence of the bioactive glass component affects not only macroscopic features such as porosity, but mainly scaffold microarchitecture giving rise to structural heterogeneity, which could have an impact on the local cell-scaffold interaction and scaffold performances. The adopted approach allows to investigate the scale-dependent pore distribution within the scaffold and the related structural heterogeneity features, providing a comprehensive characterization of the scaffold texture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials* / therapeutic use
  • Bone Regeneration*
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Chitosan / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Osteogenesis
  • Porosity
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Chitosan