Tissue transformation mold design and stereolithography fabrication

Purpose-To obtain a vascularized autologous bone graft by in-vivo tissue transformation, a biocompatible tissue transformation mold (TTM) is needed. An ideal TTM is of high geometric accuracy and X-ray radiolucent for monitoring the bone tissue formation. The purpose of this study is to present the TTM design and fabrication process, using 3D reconstruction, stereolithography (SLA) and silicone molding. Design/methodology/approach-The rat mandible, the targeted bone graft, was scanned by micro-computed tomography (CT). From the micro-CT images, the 3D mandible model was identified and used as the cavity geometry to design the TTM. The TTM was fabricated by molding the biocompatible and radiolucent silicone in the SLA molds. This TTM was implanted in a rat for in vivo tests on its biocompatibility and X-ray radiolucency. Findings-SLA can fabricate the TTM with a cavity shape that accurately replicates that of the rat mandible. The bone formation inside of the silicone TTM can be observed by X-ray. The TTM is feasible for in vivo tissue transformation for vascularized bone reconstruction. Research limitations/implications-Research of the dimensional and geometrical accuracy of the TTM cavity is required in the future study of this process. Practical implications-The TTM fabricated in this presented approach has been used for in-vivo tissue transformation. This technique can be implemented for bone reconstruction. Originality/value-The precision fabrication of the TTMs for in-vivo tissue transformation into autogenous vascularized bone grafts with complex structures was achieved by using SLA, micro-CT and silicone molding.