Mechanical and Permeability Properties of Radial-Gradient Bone Scaffolds Developed by Voronoi Tessellation for Bone Tissue Engineering

doi:10.1007/s12204-024-2770-8

Abstract

Abstract: Irregular bone scaffolds fabricated using the Voronoi tessellation method resemble the morphology and properties of human cancellous bones. This has become a prominent topic in bone tissue engineering research in recent years. However, studies on the radial-gradient design of irregular bionic scaffolds are limited. Therefore, this study aims to develop a radial-gradient structure similar to that of natural long bones, enhancing the development of bionic bone scaffolds. A novel gradient method was adopted to maintain constant porosity, control the seed sitespecific distribution within the irregular porous structure, and vary the strut diameter to generate radial gradients. The irregular scaffolds were compared with four conventional scaffolds (cube, pillar BCC, vintiles, and diamond) in terms of permeability, stress concentration characteristics, and mechanical properties. The results indicate that the radial-gradient irregular porous structure boasts the widest permeability range and superior stress distribution compared to conventional scaffolds. With an elastic modulus ranging from 4.20 GPa to 22.96 GPa and a yield strength between 68.37 MPa and 149.40 MPa, it meets bone implant performance requirements and demonstrates significant application potential.

Key words: Voronoi tessellation, radial-gradient structure, permeability, mechanical properties

摘要： 基于 Voronoi tessellation 设计的不规则骨支架与人体松质骨的形态和性质相似，这已成为近年来骨组织工程支架研究的热门话题。然而，关于不规则仿生支架径向梯度设计的研究还很有限。本研究旨在开发一种类似于天然长骨的径向梯度结构，促进仿生骨支架的开发。研究采用了一种新颖的梯度方法：保持恒定的孔隙率，控制种子在不规则多孔结构中的特定部位分布，并改变支柱直径以产生径向梯度。不规则支架与四种传统支架，即Cube、Pillar BCC、Vintiles与Diamond，在渗透性、应力集中特性和机械性能方面进行了比较分析。结果表明：径向梯度不规则多孔结构的渗透性范围最广，应力分布优于传统支架，弹性模量范围4.20~22.96 GPa和屈服强度范围68.37~149.40 MPa均符合骨植入物的性能要求，具有巨大应用开发潜力。

关键词: 泰森多边形, 径向梯度结构, 渗透性, 机械性能

CLC Number:

Xu Qingyu, Hai Jizhe, Shan Chunlong, Li Haijie. Mechanical and Permeability Properties of Radial-Gradient Bone Scaffolds Developed by Voronoi Tessellation for Bone Tissue Engineering[J]. J Shanghai Jiaotong Univ Sci, 2025, 30(3): 433-445.

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