Freeze-drying platforms design for batch fabrication of Haversian system mimicking scaffolds with enhanced osteogenesis

Abstract

The Haversian system is one of the most important pathways to repair bone defects, and it is the basic guarantee for the repair of bone defects, which means that the formation of the Haversian system indicates repairing of the defects. The integration of structure and function for tissue engineering scaffolds is of great importance in mimicking native bone tissue. However, in contrast to the increasing demands, how to rapidly prepare various sizes of such Haversian system mimicking scaffolds in batch becomes a major challenge. In this study, we designed three types of platforms with different sizes in combination with the freeze-drying approach. Chitosan/type I collagen composite materials were used to study the structure, morphology, and performance of the production, and the effects of the controlled architecture on osteogenesis. Results showed that the physicochemical effects of the mass fabricated scaffolds of various sizes met the requirements of bone repair materials. In addition, the scaffolds had good cytocompatibility and excellent in vivo bone repair performance, which have potential clinical applications.