A multiscale optimisation method for bone growth scaffolds based on triply periodic minimal surfaces

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Tissue engineered bone scaffolds are emerging as alternatives to traditional bone grafts.
• Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) offer high surface-to-volume ratios and tailorable stiffness, suitable for additive manufacturing.
• Optimal TPMS scaffold design for bone regeneration requires balancing mechanical properties with cell growth promotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate six TPMS scaffold types for bone tissue engineering.
• To develop a general methodology for optimizing TPMS bone scaffold geometry.
• To identify TPMS structures that maximize cell growth and ensure adequate nutrient delivery.

Main Methods:

• Examination of six different TPMS scaffold types.
• Development of a macro-scale and micro-scale optimization routine for scaffold geometry.
• Assessment of scaffold stiffness, cell growth rate, and pore diameter for nutrient transport.

Main Results:

• The Lidinoid and Split P TPMS structures exhibited the highest cell growth rates among the evaluated types.
• The proposed optimization methodology ensures suitable stiffness for bone grafts and maximizes cell proliferation.
• Scaffold pore sizes were optimized to facilitate oxygen and nutrient diffusion.

Conclusions:

• Lidinoid and Split P TPMS scaffolds are superior candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.
• The developed design methodology provides a framework for creating optimized bone scaffolds.
• TPMS scaffolds fabricated via additive manufacturing hold significant potential for bone regeneration.