Preparation andCharacterization of Porous Scaffolds with Favourable Interpore Connectivity

The pore interconnectivity isa key factor for the application of porous bioceramics as bone tissue engineeringscaffolds. Packed wax spheres were treated with dimethyl benzene and acted as theporogen for the preparation of porous ceramic scaffolds, in order to increasethe inter―sphere connectivity. The morphology, porosity, shrinkage, and thecompressive strength of the obtained ceramic scaffolds were analyzed. The cellcompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated with Sprague―Dawley (SD) osteoblasts.The results showed that the pore interconnectivity and volumetric porosity weresignificantly increased by the dimethyl benzene treatment. Scaffolds with differentporosities had similar shrinkage. Osteoblasts migrated deeply into the centerof the porous ceramic scaffold through the interconnected pores and got normalactivity. Porous scaffolds with better interpore connectivity could provid morespace for the proliferation of osteoblasts.