title: 3D braid scaffolds for regeneration of articular cartilage.
abstract: Regenerating articular cartilage in vivo from cultured chondrocytes requires that the cells be cultured and implanted within a biocompatible, biodegradable scaffold. Such scaffolds must be mechanically stable; otherwise chondrocytes would not be supported and patients would experience severe pain. Here we report a new 3D braid scaffold that matches the anisotropic (gradient) mechanical properties of natural articular cartilage and is permissive to cell cultivation. To design an optimal structure, the scaffold unit cell was mathematically modeled and imported into finite element analysis. Based on this analysis, a 3D braid structure with gradient axial yarn distribution was designed and manufactured using a custom-built braiding machine. The mechanical properties of the 3D braid scaffold were evaluated and compared with simulated results, demonstrating that a multi-scale approach consisting of unit cell modeling and continuum analysis facilitates design of scaffolds that meet the requirements for mechanical compatibility with tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunchul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Automotive Material Development Group 1, Cheil Industry, 332-2 Gocheon-dong, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do 437-711, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Ju
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-768, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sook Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Oriental Medicine Research Center for Bone & Joint Disease, Kyung Hee University, 149 Sangil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 134-727, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-768, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-744, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: woongryu@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Woong-Ryeol
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials
keywords: 3D braid scaffold; Articular cartilage; Axial yarn gradient; Finite element method; Unit cell