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Advancements in the fields of biocompatible materials, manufacturing processes, computational methods and medicine have led to the emergence of a new field: micro-scale scaffolds for bone replacement and regeneration. Yet most such scaffolds produced today are characterized by very basic geometry, and their microstructure differs greatly from that of the actual tissue they are intended to replace. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for generating micro-scale scaffolds based on processing actual micro-CT images and then reconstructing a highly accurate geometrical model. This model is manufactured by means of a state-of-the-art 3D additive manufacturing process from biocompatible materials. At the micro-scale level, these scaffolds are very similar to the original tissue, thus interfacing better with the surrounding tissue and facilitating more efficient rehabilitation for the patient. Moreover, the approach facilitates the design and manufacture of patient-specific scaffolds which can copy patients exact structural and mechanical characteristics, taking into account their physical condition and medical history. By means of multi-resolution volumetric modeling methods, scaffold porosity can also be adapted according to specific mechanical requirements. The process of designing and manufacturing micro-scale scaffolds involves five major stages: (a) building a volumetric multi-resolution model from micro-CT images; (b) generation of surface geometric model in STL format; (c) additive manufacturing of the scaffold; (d) scaffold shape verification relative to the geometric design; and (e) verification of mechanical properties through finite element analysis. In this research, all the proposed stages of the approach were tested. The input included micro-CT scans of porous ceramic structure, which is quite similar to commercial porous scaffolds. The results show that the proposed method is feasible for design and manufacture of micro-scale scaffolds.
Highly porous (>60% open porosity) glass–ceramic scaffolds with remarkable mechanical properties (compression strength of ~15 MPa) were produced by indirect 3D printing. Precursor glass powders were printed into 3D ordered structures and then heat treated to sinter and develop crystalline phases. The final glass–ceramic contained a β-spodumene solid solution together with a secondary phase of lithium disilicate.
The precision of the printed geometry and the density of the struts in the scaffold depended on several processing parameters (e.g. powder size and flowability, layer thickness) and were improved by increasing the binder saturation and drying time. Two types of powders with different particle size distribution (PSD) and flowability were used. Powders with a larger PSD, could be processed within a wider range of printing parameters due to their good flowability; however, the printing precision and the struts density were lower compared to the scaffolds printed using the powder in a smaller average PSD.
Ceramic parts possessing an ordered porosity were produced for the first time by powder-based three-dimensional printing of a preceramic polymer followed by pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere. The main parameters involved in the process were investigated, and the precision of the printed and ceramized parts was assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy and micro computed tomography. The influence of two different printing solvents was investigated and the use of a mixture of 1-hexanol and hexylacetate in particular allowed the production of parts with a relative density of 80% both in the polymeric and in the ceramic state. The mixing of a cross-linking catalyst directly with the printing liquid greatly simplified the process, minimizing the necessity of preprocessing the starting powder. Three-dimensional printing of a preceramic polymer not containing any inert or active fillers was proved to be a feasible, convenient and precise process for the production of porous ceramic possessing a complex, ordered structure, such as stretch-dominated lattices.
The most successful additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are based on the layer-by-layer deposition of a flowable powder. Although considered as the third industrial revolution, one factor still limiting these processes to become completely autonomous is the often necessary build-up of support structures. Besides the prevention of lateral shifts of the part during the deposition of layers, the support assures quality and stability to the built process. The loose powder itself surrounding the built object, or so-called powder-bed, does not provide this sustenance in most existent technology available. Here we present a simple but effective and economical method for stabilizing the powder-bed, preventing distortions in the geometry with no need for support structures. This effect, achieved by applying an air flow through the powder-bed, is enabling an entirely autonomous generation of parts and is a major contribution to all powder-based additive manufacturing technologies. Moreover, it makes powder-based AM independent of gravitational forces, which will facilitate crafting items in space from a variety of powdery materials.
Silicate bioceramics possess an excellent bioactivity; however, shaping them into complex geometries is still challenging. Therefore, this paper aims to present a new strategy for the shaping of a bioglass-ceramic with controlled geometry and properties starting from a glass powder combined with a preceramic polymer, i.e. a silicon resin, and reactive fillers. The powder-based three-dimensional (3D)-printing of wollastonite (CaSiO3)-based silicate bioceramic parts was demonstrated in this work. The resin plays a dual role, as it not only acts as a non-sacrificial binder for the filler powders in the printing process but it also reacts with the fillers to generate the desired bioceramic phases. The mechanical and physical properties, i.e. ball-on-three-balls test, density, porosity and morphology, were evaluated in 3D-printed discs. These samples possessed a total porosity around 64 vol% and a biaxial flexural strength around 6 MPa. The raw materials used in this work also enabled the 3D-printing of scaffolds possessing a designed multi-scale porosity, suitable bioceramic phase assemblage and a compressive strength of 1 MPa (for cylindrical scaffolds with total porosity ~80 vol%). Solubility in TRIS/HCl and in vitro assays, i.e. viability, cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays, were also performed. In vitro tests indicated good cell viability and no cytotoxicity effect on the cells.
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a technology which has the potential not only to change the way of conventional industrial manufacturing processes, adding material instead of subtracting, but also to create entirely new production and business strategies. Since about three decades, AM technologies have been used to fabricate prototypes or models mostly from polymeric or metallic materials. Recently, products have been introduced into the market that cannot be produced in another way than additively. Ceramic materials are, however, not easy to process by AM technologies, as their processing requirements (in terms of feedstock and/or sintering) are very challenging. On the other hand, it can be expected that AM technologies, once successful, will have an extraordinary impact on the industrial production of ceramic components and, moreover, will open for ceramics new uses and new markets.
2014AbstractWollastonite/apatite glass-ceramics have been successfully prepared by a novel approach, consisting of the heat treatment of a silicone resinembedding micro-sized CaCO3particles, that act as reactive fillers, and bioactive glass powder in the SiO2–CaO–P2O5–K2O–Na2O–MgO–CaF2system. Zn-containing silicates, such as hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) and willemite (Zn2SiO4), were also developed either by directly mixing ZnOpowders with the glass, or by embedding them in the preceramic polymer, as additional fillers.