Chapter 1
Biomimetic Boundary-Based Scaffold Design for Tissue
Engineering Applications
Henrique A. Almeida and Paulo J. Ba ´ rtolo
Abstract
The design of optimized scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a key topic of current
research, as the complex macro- and micro-architectures required for scaffold applications depend 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
both its physical and biological 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. Biomimetic design has been
considered as a viable method to design optimum scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. In this
research work, the scaffold designs are based on biomimetic boundary-based bone micro-CT data. Based
on the biomimetic boundaries and with the aid of topological optimization schemes, the boundary data and
given porosity is used to obtain the initial scaffold designs. In summary, the proposed scaffold design
scheme uses the principles of both the boundaries and porosity of the micro-CT data with the aid of
numerical optimization and simulation tools.
Key words Computational technologies, Topological optimization, Tissue engineering, Scaffolds,
Micro-CT data
1 Introduction
In tissue engineering, the formation of tissues with desirable properties strongly relies on the mechanical properties of the scaffolds at
a macroscopic and microscopic level. Macroscopically, the scaffold
must bear loads to provide stability to tissues while it is being
formed fulfilling its volume maintenance function. At the microscopic level, both cell growth and differentiation and ultimate tissue
formation are dependent on the mechanical input to cells. Thus,
the scaffold must be able to withstand specific loads and transmit
them in an appropriate way to the growing and surrounding cells
and tissues [1–3].
Alberto Rainer and Lorenzo Moroni (eds.), Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols,
Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2147, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0611-7_1,
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
3
Biomimetic Boundary-Based Scaffold Design for Tissue
Engineering Applications
Henrique A. Almeida and Paulo J. Ba ´ rtolo
Abstract
The design of optimized scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a key topic of current
research, as the complex macro- and micro-architectures required for scaffold applications depend 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
both its physical and biological 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. Biomimetic design has been
considered as a viable method to design optimum scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. In this
research work, the scaffold designs are based on biomimetic boundary-based bone micro-CT data. Based
on the biomimetic boundaries and with the aid of topological optimization schemes, the boundary data and
given porosity is used to obtain the initial scaffold designs. In summary, the proposed scaffold design
scheme uses the principles of both the boundaries and porosity of the micro-CT data with the aid of
numerical optimization and simulation tools.
Key words Computational technologies, Topological optimization, Tissue engineering, Scaffolds,
Micro-CT data
1 Introduction
In tissue engineering, the formation of tissues with desirable properties strongly relies on the mechanical properties of the scaffolds at
a macroscopic and microscopic level. Macroscopically, the scaffold
must bear loads to provide stability to tissues while it is being
formed fulfilling its volume maintenance function. At the microscopic level, both cell growth and differentiation and ultimate tissue
formation are dependent on the mechanical input to cells. Thus,
the scaffold must be able to withstand specific loads and transmit
them in an appropriate way to the growing and surrounding cells
and tissues [1–3].
Alberto Rainer and Lorenzo Moroni (eds.), Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols,
Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2147, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0611-7_1,
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
3