Integrating finite element modelling and 3D printing to engineer biomimetic polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering

The suitability of a scaffold for tissue engineering is determined by a number of interrelated factors. The biomaterial should be biocompatible and cell instructive, with a porosity and pore interconnectivity that facilitates cellular migration and the transport of nutrients and waste products into and out of the scaffolds. For the engineering of load bearing tissues, the scaffold may also be required to possess specific mechanical properties and/or ensure the transfer of mechanical stimuli to cells to direct their differentiation. Achieving these design goals is challenging, but could potentially be realised by integrating computational tools such as finite element (FE) modelling with three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques to assess how scaffold architecture and material properties influence the performance of the implant. In this study we first use Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to modulate the architecture of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, exploring the influence of varying fibre diameter, spacing and laydown pattern on the structural and mechanical properties of such scaffolds. We next demonstrate that a simple FE modelling strategy, which captures key aspects of the printed scaffold’s actual geometry and material behaviour, can be used to accurately model the mechanical characteristics of such scaffolds. We then show the utility of this strategy by using FE modelling to help design 3D printed scaffolds with mechanical properties mimicking that of articular cartilage. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a relatively simple FE modelling approach can be used to inform the design of 3D printed scaffolds to ensure their bulk mechanical properties mimic specific target tissues.