Structural optimization of 3D-printed patient-specific ceramic scaffolds for in vivo bone regeneration in load-bearing defects

Tissue engineering has recently gained popularity as an alternative to autografts stimulate bone tissue regeneration through structures called scaffolds. Most of the in vivo experiments on long-bony defects use internally-stabilized generic Despite wide variety computational methods, a standardized protocol is required optimize ceramic scaffolds for load-bearing bony stabilized with flexible fixations. An optimization problem was defined applications sheep metatarsus defects. It covers biological parameters (porosity, pore size, and specific surface area) mechanical constraints based vitro results reported literature. The optimized (59.30% porosity, 5768.91 m−1 area, 360.80 μm size) compressive strength selected structure were validated by means tomographic images compression tests six 3D-printed samples. Divergences between design measured values parameters, mainly due manufacturing defects, are consistent previous studies. Using mixed experimental-mathematical scaffold-design procedure described, they could be implanted instrumented external fixators, therefore facilitating biomechanical monitoring process.