Reconstrucción computacional de andamios para ingeniería de tejidos

Abstract

The characterization of biomaterials employs increasingly non-destructive imaging techniques. These techniques can be applied both in vitro and in vivo, with a resolution dependent on the size of the sample and the employed technique. One of the most used techniques, due to its high resolution, is the axial computer microtomography (μ-CT). The objective of this study was to characterize scaffolds for tissue engineering in terms of its architecture and porosity using computer reconstructions from microtomography and to generate 3D meshes for finite element modeling. Images of two materials with different morphology were utilized. A scaffold of calcium phosphate cement and a scaffold of porous biodegradable glass were scanned with a resolution of 7.8 x 7.8 x 12.2 μm, to carry out subsequently a 3D computer reconstruction and meshing. The porosity was calculated and the interconnectivity was evaluated visually.