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Quantifying pore characteristics in polymer glass–ceramics composite scaffolds using micro-tomography

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Abstract

Biomaterials used in bone tissue engineering should mimic the pore characteristics and micro-architectural features of bone to facilitate successful regeneration and repair of damaged tissue in vivo. The complete qualitative and quantitative analysis of pore characteristics in tissue engineering scaffolds remains a challenge. Compared to the other traditional methods, micro-tomography is a reliable, efficient, and non-destructive technique to assess micro-architectural characteristics in scaffolds. In this study, composite scaffolds comprising natural polymers (alginate, gelatin and chitosan) reinforced with glass–ceramic powder was fabricated using the freeze-drying technique. The micro-architectural features were analyzed with quantification of different parameters—pore size, pore shape, pore orientation, pore interconnectivity and fractal analysis. The scaffolds exhibited macro-porosity with good pore architecture and connectivity. The quantification of different parameters yielded promising results and micro-tomography proves to be an efficient tool for analyzing and quantifying pore characteristics in bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank RRCAT, Indore for providing experimental facility

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 602105, India

    Ashley Thomas & I. Praveen Kumar

  2. Technical Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai, 400085, India

    Ashish K. Agarwal & Y. S. Kashyap

  3. Department of Ceramic Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India

    Japes Bera

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AT was involved in conceptualization, study design and execution of the work. AA and YSK were involved in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. I PK and JB were involved in data validation and critical review of the manuscript.

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Thomas, A., Agarwal, A.K., Kashyap, Y.S. et al. Quantifying pore characteristics in polymer glass–ceramics composite scaffolds using micro-tomography. Journal of Materials Research 39, 1258–1272 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-024-01307-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-024-01307-7

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