Multiscale porous ceramic scaffolds for in vitro culturing of primary human cells

Abstract

An emulsion casting method was chosen for the processing of highly porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) foams to be used for the in vitro culturing of primary human liver cells. The volume fraction of heptane added to the aqueous dispersion of HAp particles could be varied to achieve a wide range of porosities (10–90 vol.-%) and pore morphologies. The emulsion derived open foam has a distinctive morphology, including a continuous large pore phase and solid struts containing smaller isolated pores. The effect of the heptane content of the slip on this sintered structure was quantified using linear intercept measurement parameters. Additionally, macropores necessary for perfusion were created using polymer tubes placed in the casting mould. When the tube spacing approached the pore size in the foam, the pore morphology was strongly affected.