Biomimetic Design and Fabrication of Interior Architecture of Tissue Scaffolds Using Solid Freeform Fabrication

Modeling, design and fabrication of tissue scaffolds with intricate architecture, porosity and pore size for desired tissue properties presents a challenge in tissue engineering. This paper will present the details of our development in designing and fabrication of the interior architecture of scaffolds using a novel design approach. The Interior Architecture Design (IAD) approach seeks to generate scaffold layered freeform fabrication tool path without forming complicated 3D CAD scaffold models. This involves: applying the principle of layered manufacturing to determine the scaffold individual layered process planes and layered contour; defining the 2D characteristic patterns of the scaffold building blocks (unit cells) to form the Interior Scaffold Pattern; and the generation of process tool path for freeform fabrication of these scaffolds with the specified interior architecture. Feasibility studies applying the IAD algorithm to example models and the generation of fabrication planning instructions will be presented.