Spreading performance in 3D printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

The potential to grow cells in vitro could drastically expand the horizons of regenerative medicine, as more tissues and potentially organs would be available. The aim of this study is to first produce a porous scaffold with precise pore morphologies via computer aided design (CAD) and 3D printing technology; and to then subject these scaffolds to spreading tests. As well as this the scaffolds will have parameters such as porosity measured, via using a pycnometer, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) image processing and calculations based on the design parameters. Permeability is measured by KRUSS Drop shape analyser and precise measurements for pore diameters and scaffold thickness are completed with image J. The uniform regularity of the scaffolds produced will accurately allow the effects of scaffold porosity to be investigated and see how it affects interactions with cell culture medium.