Numerical Calculations in Tissue Engineering

• Main Authors: Almeida, Henrique A., Bártolo, Paulo J.
• Other Authors: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Progress in Additive Manufacturing (Pro-AM 2014)
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/84278; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/41734
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The design of optimized scaffolds for tissue engineering is a key topic of research, as the complex macro- and micro-architectures required for a scaffold depends not only on the mechanical properties, but also on the physical and molecular queues of the surrounding tissue within the defect site. Thus, the prediction of optimal features for tissue engineering scaffolds is very important for its mechanical, vascular or topological properties. The relationship between high scaffold porosity and high mechanical properties is contradictory, as it becomes even more complex due to the scaffold degradation process. A scaffold design strategy was developed, based on the finite element method, to optimise the scaffold design regarding the mechanical and vascular properties as a function of porosity. Scaffolds can be considered as a LEGO structure formed by an association of small elementary units or blocks. In this research work, two types of family elementary scaffold units were considered: non-triple periodic minimal surfaces and triple periodic minimal surfaces that describe natural existing surfaces. The main objective of this work is to present the undergoing research based on numerical simulations for the evaluation and prediction of the scaffold’s behaviour under structural and vascular loading, and its topological optimisation.