Abstract
Actual prediction of the effective mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds is very important for tissue engineering applications. Currently common homogenization methods are based on three available approaches: standard mechanics modeling, homogenization theory, and finite element methods. Each of these methods has advantages and limitations. This paper presents comparisons and applications of these approaches for the prediction of the effective properties of a tissue scaffold. Derivations and formulations of mechanics, homogenization, and finite element approach as they relate to tissue engineering are described. The process for the development of a computational algorithm, finite element implementation, and numerical solution for calculating the effective mechanical properties of porous tissue scaffolds are also given. A comparison of the results based upon these different approaches is presented. Parametric analyses using the homogenization approach to study the effects of different scaffold materials and pore shapes on the properties of the scaffold are conducted, and the results of the analyses are also presented.
Highlights
Tissue engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of biology as well as engineering toward the development of viable substitutes that can restore, maintain, or improve the function of human tissues (Langer 1994, 1999)
The underlying concept of tissue engineering is that cells can be isolated from a patient, expanded in a culture, and seeded onto a scaffold prepared from a specific building material to form a scaffold/biological three-dimensional tissue construct
Application of the computational algorithm in the characterization of the effective mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds with variable design parameters and the results of the parametric analyses were presented
Summary
Tissue engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of biology as well as engineering toward the development of viable substitutes that can restore, maintain, or improve the function of human tissues (Langer 1994, 1999). The underlying concept of tissue engineering is that cells can be isolated from a patient, expanded in a culture, and seeded onto a scaffold prepared from a specific building material (eg extracellular matrix, biodegradable polymer) to form a scaffold/biological three-dimensional tissue construct. The construct can be grafted into the same patient to function as replacement tissue. Blood vessels attach themselves to the new tissue, the scaffold gradually dissolves, and the newly grown tissue is integrated into its surroundings.
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