Micro-Finite Element Model to Investigate the Mechanical Stimuli in Scaffolds Fabricated via Space Holder Technique for Cancellous Bone

Abstract

In Osteoporosis, bone mechanical strength decreases and as a result, the risk of bone fracture increases. Osteoporosis is also referred as a "silent illness" since it usually develops asymptomatic until it breaks a long bone, like the femur. In recent years, porous scaffolds have been utilized to repair damaged bone tissue. For bone tissue engineering, synthetic scaffolds should have acceptable mechanical properties, in addition to the required biological properties. In this regard, the finite element simulation is used to predict the mechanical properties of porous bone scaffolds as one of the most common methods for reducing the experimental tests, because the acquisition of mechanical properties of such scaffolds is very time-consuming and expensive. Due to the widespread use of hydroxyapatite (HA) in the manufacture of bone scaffold composites, the mechanical properties of HA-wollastonite scaffold composites are obtained by laboratory tests and finite element methods. Comparison of the simulation of finite element analysis (FEA) and the experimental results indicate the success of the FEA simulation. In conclusion, new finding satisfied expectations as being suitable for mechanical and biomaterial aspect of a porous scaffold which is proven by laboratory tests and FEA simulations. Due to that fact, the result of this study can be employed to obtain scaffolds well-suited for bone implementations.

Keywords

• bone scaffold
• bio-nanocomposites
• computational and laboratory analysis
• finite element analysis
• hydroxyapatite