Fabrication of titanium based biphasic scaffold using selective laser melting and collagen immersion

Abstract

Tissue engineering approaches have been adopted to address challenges in osteochondral tissue regeneration. Single phase scaffolds, which consist of only one single material throughout the whole structure, have been used extensively in these tissue engineering approaches. However, a single phase scaffold is insufficient in providing all the properties required for regeneration and repair of osteochondral defects. Biphasic scaffolds with two distinct phases of titanium/type 1 collagen and titanium-tantalum/type 1 collagen were developed for the first time using selective laser melting. Observation of the biphasic scaffolds demonstrated continuous interface between the two phases and mechanical characterization of the metallic scaffolds support the feasibility of the newly developed scaffolds for tissue engineering in osteochondral defects.