A three-dimensional porous hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffold with shape memory effect for bone tissue engineering

It is known that scaffold is a key factor in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to improve the design of scaffold in order to achieve an effect of precisely matching the irregular boundaries of bone defects as well as facilitate clinical application. In this study, controllable three-dimensional porous shape memory polyurethane/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds were successfully fabricated. Detailed studies were performed to evaluate its structure, porosities, and mechanical properties, emphasizing the effect of different apertures of scaffolds on shape recovery behaviors and biological performance in vitro. Results showed its compression recovery ratios and shape recovery ratios of all scaffolds could reach more than 99 and 90%, respectively, which could let it more accurately match the irregular boundaries of bone defects. And also its cell proliferation ability was improved with the increase in the apertures. Thus, these scaffolds have potential applications for the bone tissue engineering.