title: Quantitative analysis of interconnectivity of porous biodegradable scaffolds with micro-computed tomography.
abstract: Pore interconnectivity within scaffolds is an important parameter influencing cell migration and tissue ingrowth needed to promote tissue regeneration. Methods for assessment of interconnectivity are usually qualitative, restricted to two-dimensional images, or are destructive. Microcomputed tomography nondestructively provides three-dimensional (3D) images of intact specimens at high spatial resolutions. We describe an image analysis technique for quantitative assessment of scaffold interconnectivity. Scaffolds were made via a particulate leaching process with 75%, 80%, 85%, and 88% volumetric porogen fractions. Specimens were scanned and resulting 3D, digital images were analyzed with a custom algorithm. A series of virtual, idealized scaffolds were also created for illustration of the algorithm's analysis approach and for its validation. The program calculated accessible void fractions over a range of minimum connection sizes. In real specimens, nearly 100% of the porous volume was connected with outside air for connections greater than or equal to 20 microm in their smallest dimension. In scaffolds made with 75% porogen, the accessible void fraction decreased to 78% if only those connections greater than or equal to 260 microm were considered. The relationship between accessible void fraction and connection size varied as a function of porogen content. The interconnectivity parameter described here may have implications for cell migration and tissue growth into scaffolds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Esmaiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jabbari
authors.forename: Erik L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Ritman
authors.forename: Lichun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Bradford L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Currier
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Windebank
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yaszemski
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016062:Porosity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials