Computer modeling approach for micro sphere-packed bone scaffold
A computer modeling approach for constructing a three-dimensional microsphere-packed bone graft structure is presented. The modeling approach consists of both geometric and CAD-based computer modeling. The geometric model uses two extreme microsphere packing models (mini mum-density packing and maximum-density packing) and a statistical packing model to determine the number of microspheres packed in a synthesized bone graft. The pore size of the packed internal porous structure is predicted, and a parametric study of the effect of microsphere diameter on the number of microspheres and pore size is conducted. Based on the results obtained from the geometric model, a CAD modeling approach for designing randomly microsphere-packed three-dimensional bone grafts was developed. The hierarchy of the CAD model and the steps for constructing a bone graft model are described, and application of the CAD-based bone graft model in internal structural examination, visualization, prediction and comparison with in vitro bone ingrowth is presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
modeling microsphere cad tissue scaffold bonegraft