Interconnectivity analysis of supercritical CO2-foamed scaffolds

  • Authors:

  • Greg Lemon;Yvonne Reinwald;Lisa J. White;Steven M. Howdle;Kevin M. Shakesheff;John R. King

  • Affiliations:

  • School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK and Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering & Modelling (STEM), Centre for Biomolecula ...;Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering & Modelling (STEM), Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK;Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering & Modelling (STEM), Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK;School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK;Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering & Modelling (STEM), Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK;School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

  • Venue:
  • Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
  • Year:
  • 2012

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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.