Three-dimensional printing of truss-like structure for use in scaffold: Experimental, numerical, and analytical analyses

Abstract

Rapid prototyping is a promising technique for the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds. It has an inherent capacity to make predetermined forms and structures and also distinct pore architecture as well. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of gradient pore geometries on the elastic behavior of the poly (methyl methacrylate) scaffold under compressive loading. Two kinds of models comprise simple and gradient architecture fabricated by three-dimensional printing. The mechanical properties of scaffolds were investigated experimentally, numerically, and analytically. Moreover, the cell adhesion and proliferation of scaffold were studied under two conditions: chitosan-coated and noncoated. Results indicated that although simple architecture renders higher amounts of mechanical properties, gradient architecture can make elastic regions after each plastic deformation improving the elastic behavior of scaffold at the higher strain value. Additionally, the excellent correspondence between the results of experimental compressive tests, finite element analysis, and analytical method display that the proposed models can predict precisely the mechanical properties of the scaffold. Furthermore, chitosan coating improves remarkably the number of cell proliferation of the scaffold.