title: Interconnectivity analysis of supercritical CO₂-foamed scaffolds.
abstract: This paper describes a computer algorithm for the determination of the interconnectivity of the pore space inside scaffolds used for tissue engineering. To validate the algorithm and its computer implementation, the algorithm was applied to a computer-generated scaffold consisting of a set of overlapping spherical pores, for which the interconnectivity was calculated exactly. The algorithm was then applied to micro-computed X-ray tomography images of supercritical CO(2)-foamed scaffolds made from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), whereby the effect of using different weight average molecular weight polymer on the interconnectivity was investigated.
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. greg.lemon@maths.nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lemon
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Reinwald
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Howdle
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shakesheff
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid