STEREOLITHOGRAPHY RAPID PROTOTYPING INDIRECT FABRICATION APPROACH OF SCAFFOLDS WITH

CONTROLLED MICROSTRUCTURE

Li Xiang  Li Dichen  Lu Bingheng

(School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049)

Wang Lin  Wang Zhen

(Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032)

Abstract: An approach based on CAD and stereolithography rapid prototyping is proposed, which provides precise design and control of internal microstructure for scaffolds, achieves the integrated fabricated of external shape and internal microstructure of scaffolds. According to CT data, external shape of skeleton is reconstructed using CAD software. On the principle of facilitating cell growth and osteogensis, the internal microstructure including pore geometry, size, orientation, interconnectivity and branching is designed. The resin molds of scaffolds are fabricated by stereolithography and the biomaterials are filled into the molds. After biomaterials in situ hardening, the molds are removed by pyrolysis The scaffolds with controlled microstucture are achieved. According to the observation under light microscope, the results indicate that the external shape and internal microstructure of scaffolds are in cornformity with the design. Compared with traditional scaffold fabrications, this method provides enhanced control over scaffold shape and internal microstruture.

Key words: Controlled microstructure  Scaffolds  Rapid prototyping  Indirect fabrication

CLC No: TH12   TB17

国家自然科学基金(50235020)和教育部优秀青年教师教学与科研奖励基金资助项目. Received 20040806, received in revised form 20050227