Reinforcement of bionic trabecular bone scaffolds for bone defect repair using the slime mould algorithm

Abstract

Bionic trabecular bone scaffolds (Bio-Tb-S), which mimic the human cancellous bone, are widely recognized as the most effective repair material for large bone defects. Nevertheless, in situations with bone defects located in high-stress areas with intricate and varying mechanical environments, the scaffold necessitates reinforcement to withstand the limit stress. Achieving a balance between the “mechanical load-bearing properties, elastic modulus, and permeability” represents a substantial challenge. A scaffold with locally personalized reinforced was proposed based on slime mould algorithm (SMA), called bionic trabecular bone scaffold with slime mould algorithm (Bio-Tb-S-SMA), that is capable of echoing hard tissue characteristics. Additive manufacturing (AM) was utilized to fabricate the scaffold owing to its superior manufacturing flexibility. Compression tests, friction tests and bidirectional fluid–structure interaction experiments to evaluate the mechanical load-bearing properties, service stability, and permeability of scaffold. The results demonstrate that Bio-Tb-S-SMA effectively adapts to the complex in vivo stress environment, exhibiting strong bone-bearing capacity and service stability, while simultaneously retaining excellent permeability. Bio-Tb-S-SMA has broad potential for use as a bone repair material, and the bionic design and bionic reinforcement algorithm inject new vitality into the field of tissue engineering.

Keywords

• Bone defect repair materials
• Biomimetic design
• Slime mould algorithm
• Friction test
• Laser powder bed fusion