Computer aided design and finite element analysis of bone scaffolds

Abstract

Evolving of computer aided modeling and finite element analysis in current technologies is enabling the design and fabrication of bone scaffolds with the precise specifications as needed to comply with the properties of the damaged or broken bone part to be replaced. 3D designed model allows measured material placement for configuring geometric and porous tissue scaffolds with adapted properties such as mechanical stiffness and biological growth before prototyping and production. Different bone scaffolds have been designed and analyzed to see the results when force (uni-axial load) is applied on them. These scaffolds are made up in different pore size (500mm and 1000mm) and geometry structure (basic, crossed and their offset of 50%). They were designed, analyzed with current technology (computer aided design & finite element analysis) so that we see their correspondence to mimic the natural bone tissue (biomechanical properties) when cells will be grown on them. The basic scaffold showed higher SA/V ratio compared to other scaffolds. These scaffolds and their manufacturing method will be cheap, more effective and it will promote quick recovery compared to existing technologies but also it will have minimum side effects compared to current treatments options.