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Topology Optimization of Three Dimensional Tissue Engineering Scaffold Architectures for Prescribed Bulk Modulus and
Heesuk Kang1, Chia-Ying Lin2, Scott J Hollister3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Scaffold Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Spine Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization : Journal of the International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
|August 11, 2020
Summary
This study optimized tissue engineering scaffolds for skeletal regeneration. Designed microstructures achieved targeted mechanical and mass transport properties, enhancing new tissue formation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Computational Mechanics
Background:
- Tissue engineering scaffolds are crucial for skeletal regeneration, requiring specific mechanical and mass transport properties.
- Scaffold pore architecture dictates the mechanical and transport environments essential for cell migration and tissue formation.
- Simultaneous optimization of mechanical and mass transport properties is necessary for effective scaffold design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design three-dimensional (3D) unit microstructures for tissue engineering scaffolds using topology optimization.
- To achieve target effective bulk modulus (mechanical property) and isotropic diffusivity (mass transport property) simultaneously.
- To determine feasible design targets for scaffold porosity by considering cross-property bounds.
Main Methods:
- A numerical homogenization-based topology optimization scheme was employed.
- The optimization focused on designing porous microstructures for tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Cross-property bounds between bulk modulus and diffusivity were utilized to guide the design targets.
Main Results:
- Optimized microstructures successfully achieved target effective bulk modulus and isotropic diffusivity.
- The designed scaffolds demonstrated the ability to meet cross-property bounds for porosities between 30% and 60%.
- This indicates a viable approach for creating scaffolds with tailored mechanical and transport functionalities.
Conclusions:
- Topology optimization is effective for designing tissue engineering scaffolds with desired mechanical and mass transport characteristics.
- The developed method allows for the creation of microstructures that balance load-bearing capacity and nutrient/waste exchange.
- These findings contribute to the advancement of scaffold design for enhanced skeletal tissue regeneration.
