Creating hierarchical porosity hydroxyapatite scaffolds with osteoinduction by three-dimensional printing and microwave sintering

Biofabrication. 2017 Nov 14;9(4):045008. doi: 10.1088/1758-5090/aa90ed.

Abstract

Hierarchical porosity, which includes micropores and macropores in scaffolds, contributes to important multiple biological functions for tissue regeneration. This paper introduces a two-step method of combining three-dimensional printing (3DP) and microwave sintering to fabricate two-level hierarchical porous scaffolds. The results showed that 3D printing made the macroporous structure well-controlled and microwave sintering generated micropores on the macropore surface. The resulting hierarchical macro/microporous hydroxyapatite scaffold induced bone formation following intramuscular implantation. Moreover, when comparing the hierarchical macro/microporous hydroxyapatite scaffold to the non-osteoinductive hydroxyapatite scaffolds (either 3D printed or H2O2 foamed) subjected to muffle sintering which do not have micropores, the critical role of micropores in material-driven bone formation was shown. The findings presented herein could be useful for the further optimization of bone grafting materials for bone regeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Bone Substitutes / chemistry
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Bone and Bones / physiology
  • Dogs
  • Durapatite / chemistry*
  • Ink
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microwaves*
  • Osteogenesis
  • Porosity
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Bone Substitutes
  • Durapatite