Kurzfassung

The application of rapid prototyping techniques has become a new trend in the fabrication of customized scaffolds for tissue regeneration or repair. The aim of the proposed project is to provide novel solutions for bottle-neck problems currently faced in establishing the corresponding processing chain, which encounter, among others, the extraction of essential geometry data of the damaged tissue from medical images, e.g. CT and MRI, with a resolution sufficient enough to guide CAD/CAM-based...The application of rapid prototyping techniques has become a new trend in the fabrication of customized scaffolds for tissue regeneration or repair. The aim of the proposed project is to provide novel solutions for bottle-neck problems currently faced in establishing the corresponding processing chain, which encounter, among others, the extraction of essential geometry data of the damaged tissue from medical images, e.g. CT and MRI, with a resolution sufficient enough to guide CAD/CAM-based materials manufacturing processes; the establishment of a feasible interfaces between medical imaging, CAD and CAM; and the fabrication, by rapid prototyping techniques, i.e. selective laser sintering, 3D printing and robocasting, of customized scaffolds based on an innovative morphogenetically active bio-inorganic polymer, bio-silica, either alone or in combination with another bio-inorganic polymer, bio-polyP, as well as smart micro-units. Customization of both external geometry and internal cellular architecture, and of the material properties of the scaffolds will be achieved. The main focus is the development of novel osteogenic scaffolds which obviate the need of exogenously added growth factors/cytokines in bone tissue engineering. The scaffolds made of the bioactive bio-inorganic polymers or their composites with traditional bio-ceramics will fulfil both mechanical and physiological requirements for the intended biomedical applications. In addition, this project will provide a new strategy for 3D printing of bone-forming cells by exploiting the unique advantages of cell-encapsulating bio-silica alginate hydrogels. The multidisciplinary consortium proposing this project comprises internationally top-ranked researchers in Europe and in China and includes an already established Joint Lab between European and Chinese partners providing the necessary infrastructure and competence to realize a fast integration and a proof-of-concept within the proposed 3-year funding period.» weiterlesen» einklappen