Biomimetic Structured Porogen Freeform Fabrication System for Tissue Engineering
87
(A) (B)
Fig. 31. Overlay of bisbenzimide and rhodamine phalloidin staining of 7F2 cells cultured on
PCL scaffolds (A) day 2, showed the initial attachment, 5X (B) day 4, showed the cells were
confluent, 10X.
(A) (B) (C)
Fig. 32. SEM images of 7F2 growing onto the PCL scaffolds (A) Flattened 7F2 cells on PCL
scaffold, Scale bar = 20 μm (B) day 1 (C) day 4.
- Conclusion
This study developed a structured porogen-based fabrication method using the DDP, 3-DP
and custom-designed SFF manufacturing systems. By indirect building, the resolution of our
fabricated scaffolds can be improved at least 3-fold as compared to directly built scaffolds
made by the same kind of SFF machine. This fabrication method gave us the ability to use
multiple biomaterials for injection molding with a single ubiquitous porogen. By using the
bio-composite material of calcium phosphate and Poly (ε-caprolactone), the mechanical
strength and bioactivity have been improved dramatically. The structured porogen-based
fabrication method also provided the ability to make complex structures which has the exact
shape and similar predefined internal structure of the bone tissue with sufficient mechanical
strength. A new custom designed SFF system has been developed. By combining this novel
fabrication method with new bio-composite materials, the bone manufacturing technology
can be highly advanced.
This research will help to build knowledge and lead to novel solutions in fabricating
polymeric scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications. This research has the potential
to advance scientific knowledge, enhance our manufacturing industry competitiveness and
benefit our nation’s health and economy. More specifically, this research involves both
fundamental scientific research and experimental engineering studies. Research on new bio-