13 - Three-dimensional model for assessing the pore volume of biomaterials intended for implantation

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to develop a three-dimensional model of biomaterial pores as a tool for determining pore volume. The model creation process consisted of three main stages. As part of the first stage, observations were made using the confocal laser scanning microscope LEXT OLS4000. The research material were samples of porous corundum biomaterial produced by chemical foaming. By analyzing the images obtained with the microscope, the assumptions for the model were determined. The next stage was implementation. The model was implemented in the Matlab programming environment. Then, computer simulations were carried out, resulting in a three-dimensional representation of the porous biomaterial and its cross-sections, obtained as a result of intersecting the model with a plane, as well as parameters characterizing the pore geometry. The last stage was verification of the developed model. The modelling method was tested by comparing the results obtained using the model with experimental data obtained from microtomography of the biomaterial. When comparing the results obtained in both stages of the experiment, it was found that that the implemented program generates a model with pore structure and geometry close to real ceramic biomaterials, which confirmed the correctness of the developed model.