Robotic deposition of model hydroxyapatite scaffolds with multiple architectures and multiscale porosity for bone tissue engineering.

Abstract

Model hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds with porosities spanning multiple length scales were fabricated by robocasting, a solid freeform fabrication technique based on the robotic deposition of colloidal pastes. Scaffolds of various architectures including periodic, radial, and superlattice structures were constructed. Macropores (100-600 microm) were designed by controlling the arrangement and spacing between rods of HA. Micropores (1-30 microm) and submicron pores (less than 1 microm) were produced within the rods by including polymer microsphere porogens in the HA pastes and by controlling the sintering of the scaffolds. These model scaffolds may be used to systematically study the effects of scaffold porosity on bone ingrowth processes both in vitro and in vivo.