Design and freeform fabrication of load bearing tissue scaffolds

Scaffolds with designed interior pore architecture, predefined porosity and a well interconnected predetermined network has been the most favored design approach for tissue engineering applications. This paper will present the details of our development in the design and fabrication of biomimetic tissue scaffolds based on tissue requirements. This includes the 3D reconstruction of patient-specific medical imaging data (CT/MRI), the evaluation of tissue properties, the incorporation of intended biophysical and biological requirements into the design model, and the characterization of designed scaffold mechanical properties. The paper also presents a novel design approach to generate the designed scaffolds using layered freeform fabrication without forming complicated 3D CAD scaffold models. Feasibility studies applying the algorithm to example models and the generation of fabrication planning instructions involving heterogeneous structures will also be presented.