In silico assessment of the bone regeneration potential of complex porous scaffolds

• Published in: Computers in biology and medicine Vol. 165; p. 107381
• Main Authors: Asbai-Ghoudan, Reduan, Nasello, Gabriele, Pérez, María Ángeles, Verbruggen, Stefaan W., Ruiz de Galarreta, Sergio, Rodriguez-Florez, Naiara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2023; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adaptation; Biocompatibility; Biomedical materials; Bone biomaterials; Bone growth; Bone regeneration; FE-Based model; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; Mechanical stimulus; Mechanobiology; Minimal surfaces; Orthopedics; Parameters; Pore size; Regeneration; Regeneration (physiology); Scaffolds; Sheep; Strain distribution; Stress analysis; Substitute bone; Tibia; Transplants & implants; Triply periodic minimal surfaces; Triply periodic minimal surfaces; FE-Based model; Mechanical stimulus; Bone regeneration; Scaffolds; Mechanobiology
• ISSN: 0010-4825; 1879-0534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107381

Mechanical environment plays a crucial role in regulating bone regeneration in bone defects. Assessing the mechanobiological behavior of patient-specific orthopedic scaffolds in-silico could help guide optimal scaffold designs, as well as intra- and post-operative strategies to enhance bone regeneration and improve implant longevity. Additively manufactured porous scaffolds, and specifically triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), have shown promising structural properties to act as bone substitutes, yet their ability to induce mechanobiologially-driven bone regeneration has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to i) explore the bone regeneration potential of TPMS scaffolds made of different stiffness biocompatible materials, to ii) analyze the influence of pre-seeding the scaffolds and increasing the post-operative resting period, and to iii) assess the influence of patient-specific parameters, such as age and mechanosensitivity, on outcomes. To perform this study, an in silico model of a goat tibia is used. The bone ingrowth within the scaffold pores was simulated with a mechano-driven model of bone regeneration. Results showed that the scaffold's architectural properties affect cellular diffusion and strain distribution, resulting in variations in the regenerated bone volume and distribution. The softer material improved the bone ingrowth. An initial resting period improved the bone ingrowth but not enough to reach the scaffold's core. However, this was achieved with the implantation of a pre-seeded scaffold. Physiological parameters like age and health of the patient also influence the bone regeneration outcome, though to a lesser extent than the scaffold design. This analysis demonstrates the importance of the scaffold's geometry and its material, and highlights the potential of using mechanobiological patient-specific models in the design process for bone substitutes.
•Mechanobiological models have potential to help design patient-specific scaffolds.•The scaffold's geometry has a direct impact on the mechanobiological behavior.•The scaffold's material can be used to tune the stimulus distribution.•Pre-seeded scaffolds can enhance bone ingrowth in the core region.•Mechanobiological patient-specific models are needed for accurate predictions.