Development of Bioinspired Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Inks for Manufacturing Bone Scaffolds by Robocasting
Samira Tajvar1, Afra Hadjizadeh1, Saeed Saber Samandari2,3
1Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Faculty, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
|January 1, 2025
Summary
Robocasting offers a novel method for creating customized, porous bone scaffolds from calcium phosphate compounds. This technique enhances bone tissue regeneration potential and overcomes limitations of traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Traditional fabrication methods for calcium phosphate bone substitutes have limitations.
- 3D printing requires optimized ink development for fabricating complex structures.
- Customized bone scaffolds are crucial for effective bone tissue regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate robocasting inks for creating biomimetic bone scaffolds.
- To assess the printability, mechanical properties, and structural integrity of fabricated scaffolds.
- To investigate the potential of these scaffolds as cancellous bone substitutes.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of inks using magnesium- and sodium-doped carbonated hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate, and Pluronic F-127.
- Rheological analysis to evaluate ink properties and printability.
- Mechanical testing (compressive strength) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for structural analysis.
Main Results:
- Inks exhibited shear thinning behavior, crucial for 3D printing.
- Increased Pluronic and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) concentrations yielded more consistent gels with improved shape fidelity.
- Scaffolds demonstrated compressive strength ranging from approximately 8-60 MPa.
- SEM revealed a dual macro- and micropore architecture, beneficial for cell adhesion and protein interaction.
Conclusions:
- Robocasting is a viable technique for fabricating precise, bioinspired biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds.
- The developed scaffolds possess suitable properties for cancellous bone defect repair.
- This approach holds significant promise for advancing bone tissue engineering applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Carbon Skeletons
Life on Earth is carbon-based, as all macromolecules that make up living organisms contain carbon atoms. All organic compounds have a carbon backbone. Each carbon atom is tetravalent and can bond with four other atoms, making it an extraordinarily flexible component of biological molecules. Because carbon’s valence electrons are stable, it rarely becomes an ion. As the carbon chain increases in length, structural modifications such as ring structures, double bonds, and branching side chains...
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.