Effective method for multi-scale gradient porous scaffold design and fabrication

Function-based modeling is a highly flexible porous scaffold design approach for use in tissue engineering. It was recently proposed as a valid tool for constructing cellular structures by providing a compact representation of complex structures. However, current approaches have some limitations with regard to combining multiple function-based substructures. In this short communication, we propose an effective method for combination operations of multiple substructures based on given substructures and boundaries. With this proposed method, a functional gradient porous scaffold (FGPS) with multi-scale substructures could be easily constructed and directly fabricated by using additive manufacturing techniques. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.