Effect of Design on Bone Tissue Scaffolds Produced via 3D Printer

Abstract

The design of the bone scaffolds changes and develops with the developing technology and production methods. Degenerative diseases which are one of the design needs like osteoporosis, result in bone pathologies such as, degeneration and loss of bone tissue, adversely affecting quality of life and living standards. Therefore, the development of three-dimensional bioactive bone tissue scaffolds for bone regeneration come into prominence in tissue engineering. Polymers and bioactive ceramics are used as biomaterials designed for bone tissue engineering applications that bone tissue structure can be successfully imitated. Bone tissue scaffolds produced with hydroxyapatite (HA) and bioactive glasses have a clinical potential for bone regeneration due to their high biocompatibility and binding properties to bone tissue. However, the mechanical properties of HA and bioactive glass bone tissue scaffolds, which are designed to be porous like bone tissue, are not particularly suitable for load bearing applications. HA based composites are produced by adding secondary phases such as ceramic, metal, polymer, and glass to improve the mechanical properties. A variety of manufacturing methods such as stereolithography, powder layered fusion material extrusion, binder jetting and three-dimensional (3D) printing are applied to fabricate bone tissue scaffolds according to the printing principles and selection of materials. Conventional methods offer limited control over pore size, geometry, and interdependence for this production. However, 3D printing technologies have evolved, progress has been recorded in the ability to control bone micro-architecture.

Keywords

• 3d printer
• bioceramics
• design
• bone tissue scaffold