Design and mechanical performance of cell-gradient scaffolds based on three-period minimal surface
- VernacularTitle:基于三周期极小曲面晶胞梯度支架的设计及力学性能
- Author:
Wenbo ZHU
1
;
Xujing ZHANG
1
;
Yan XU
1
;
Xintong SHI
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: three-period minimal surface; cell gradient; connection function; bone cartilage scaffold; mechanical property; flow performance
- From: Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(16):3449-3457
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: BACKGROUND:The elastic modulus of bone-cartilage integration scaffolds differs significantly from that of natural bone-cartilage tissue,which can lead to a stress shield effect.As a result,the implants become loose and deformed,affecting the repair of osteochondral tissue.Cell gradient scaffolds made by axial direction three-period minimal surface have the same porosity and elasticity modulus as the human body,which provides a new idea for bone-cartilage scaffold design.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of cell type and pore size on the mechanical properties of cell gradient scaffolds.METHODS:Three basic cells of Gyroid(G)type,Diamond(D)type,and Primitive(P)type were used.Through mathematical modeling of three-period minimal surface,different sizes and types of cells were used in the gradient region.A total of six kinds of cell gradient scaffolds(G-2P-4D,P-2D-4G,D-2P-4D,G-2D-4P,P-2G-4D,and D-2G-4P)were constructed and mechanical experiments and simulation experiments were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the scaffolds.Flow performance parameters of the fluids in the scaffolds were obtained through computational fluid dynamics simulation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Finite element mechanical simulation and compression experiment showed that P-2G-4D and P-2D-4G with the highest elastic modulus(148.67 MPa and 152.1 MPa),bearing a higher body load,improved the stability of the scaffold.The stress distribution in D-2P-4G was even and effectively reduced stress concentration,so that the connection function area could effectively transfer stress and reduce stress shielding.Flow rate was changing the least in G-2D-4P(0.10-0.48 mm/s).Permeability was higher than other scaffolds so that body fluids were able to flow though the gradient scaffold after implantation.This design method provides a new idea for the design of osteochondral scaffolds,and the simulation analysis results also provide a reference for the prediction of bone integration after implantation of scaffolds.
