HYDROXYAPATITE SCAFFOLDS FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING WITH CONTROLLED POROSITY AND MECHANICAL STRENGTH

摘要

Hydroxyapatite (HA) macro-porous scaffolds suitable for bone tissue engineering applications with controlled porosity and mechanical strength were realized and characterized in the present work. The foam replica method was employed for the production of the ceramic components and processing conditions were varied in order to obtain materials with different porosity, macro-pores size and compressive strength. Porosity from 70 to 80% and strength from 0.5 to 2 MPa were obtained. An interconnected porous structure with pores size between 100 and 500 ìm was obtained, this allowing cells penetration, tissue in-growth and vascularization as required in bone tissue engineering.