The morphology of anisotropic 3D-printed hydroxyapatite scaffolds

Biomaterials. 2008 Oct;29(28):3799-806. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.06.012. Epub 2008 Jul 7.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with tailored pores ranging from the nanometer to millimeter scale can support the reconstruction of centimeter-sized osseous defects. Three-dimensional-printing processes permit the voxel-wise fabrication of scaffolds. The present study rests upon 3D-printing with nano-porous hydroxyapatite granulates. The cylindrical design refers to a hollow bone with higher density at the periphery. The millimeter-wide central channel follows the symmetry axis and connects the perpendicularly arranged micro-pores. Synchrotron radiation-based micro computed tomography has served for the non-destructive characterization of the scaffolds. The 3D data treatment is essential, since, for example, the two-dimensional distance maps overestimate the mean distances to the material by 33-50% with respect to the 3D analysis. The scaffolds contain 70% micrometer-wide pores that are interconnected. Using virtual spheres, which might be related to the cells migrating along the pores, the central channel remains accessible through the micro-pores for spheres with a diameter of up to (350+/-35)mum. Registering the tomograms with their 3D-printing matrices has yielded the almost isotropic shrinking of (27+/-2)% owing to the sintering process. This registration also allows comparing the design and tomographic data in a quantitative manner to extract the quality of the fabricated scaffolds. Histological analysis of the scaffolds seeded with osteogenic-stimulated progenitor cells has confirmed the suitability of the 3D-printed scaffolds for potential clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / metabolism
  • Bone and Bones / cytology
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Durapatite / chemistry*
  • Durapatite / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Models, Biological
  • Porosity
  • Printing / methods*
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • Surface Properties
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Durapatite