Simulation research on the influence of regular porous lattice scaffolds on bone growth_Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Authors：

 MEN Yutao ^1,2 , WEI Lele ^1,2 , HU Baibing ^1,2 , HAO Pujun ^1,2 , ZHANG Chunqiu ^1,2

1. Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, P. R. China;
2. National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, P. R. China;

Corresponding?author：

MEN Yutao, Email: yutaomen@163.com

Keywords：

Bone growth; Lattice porous scaffold; Secondary development; Porosity; Pore size

DOI：

10.7507/1001-5515.202410062

Video：

Export PDF Favorites Scan Get Citation

Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

To assess the implantation effectiveness of porous scaffolds, it is essential to consider not only their mechanical properties but also their biological performance. Given the high cost, long duration and low reproducibility of biological experiments, simulation studies as a virtual alternative, have become a widely adopted and efficient evaluation method. In this study, based on the secondary development environment of finite element analysis software, the strain energy density growth criterion for bone tissue was introduced to simulate and analyze the cell proliferation-promoting effects of four different lattice porous scaffolds under cyclic compressive loading. The biological performance of these scaffolds was evaluated accordingly. The computational results indicated that in the early stages of bone growth, the differences in bone tissue formation among the scaffold groups were not significant. However, as bone growth progressed, the scaffold with a porosity of 70% and a pore size of 900 μm demonstrated markedly superior bone formation compared to other porosity groups and pore size groups. These results suggested that the scaffold with a porosity of 70% and a pore size of 900 μm was most conducive to bone tissue growth and could be regarded as the optimal structural parameter for bone repair scaffold. In conclusion, this study used a visualized simulation approach to pre-evaluate the osteogenic potential of porous scaffolds, aiming to provide reliable data support for the optimized design and clinical application of implantable scaffolds.

Citation： MEN Yutao, WEI Lele, HU Baibing, HAO Pujun, ZHANG Chunqiu. Simulation research on the influence of regular porous lattice scaffolds on bone growth. Journal of Biomedical Engineering, 2025, 42(4): 808-816. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202410062 Copy

1.	Datta S, Mahfouf M, Zhang Q, et al. Imprecise knowledge based design and development of titanium alloys for prosthetic applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2016, 53: 350-365.
2.	Li F, Li J, Xu G, et al. Fabrication, pore structure and compressive behavior of anisotropic porous titanium for human trabecular bone implant applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2015, 46: 104-114.
3.	Chen J, Song C, Deng Z, et al. Functional gradient design of additive manufactured gyroid tantalum porous structures: manufacturing, mechanical behaviors and permeability. J Manuf Process, 2024, 125: 202-216.
4.	Gui X, Zhang B, Song P, et al. 3D printing of biomimetic hierarchical porous architecture scaffold with dual osteoinduction and osteoconduction biofunctions for large size bone defect repair. Applied Materials Today, 2024, 37: 102085.
5.	Huo H, Wen P, Cao L, et al. Design and preparation of biomimetic “hard-soft” functional scaffold with gradient irregular pore structure for bone repair. J Mater Res Technol, 2024, 33: 6363-6373.
6.	雷周激欣. 失重環境下骨重建數值模擬的理論與方法研究. 上海: 上海交通大學, 2015.
7.	Hambli R, Benhamou C L, Jennane R, et al. Combined finite element model of human proximal femur behaviour considering remodeling and fracture. IRBM, 2013, 34(2): 191-195.
8.	閆宇凡. 電刺激對低載荷引發的骨重建影響的數值模擬. 天津: 天津大學, 2022.
9.	原慧. 基于損傷修復的皮質骨重建數值模擬研究. 天津: 天津大學, 2020.
10.	Zhang Y, He S Y, Wang P, et al. Impacts of permeability and effective diffusivity of porous scaffolds on bone ingrowth: In silico and in vivo analyses. Biomater Adv, 2024, 161: 213901.
11.	VandenHeuvel D J, Devlin B L, Buenzli P R, et al. New computational tools and experiments reveal how geometry affects tissue growth in 3D printed scaffolds. Chem Eng J Adv, 2023, 475: 145776.
12.	Raghavendra S, Molinari A, Fontanari V, et al. Tensile and compression properties of variously arranged porous Ti-6Al-4V additively manufactured structures via SLM. Procedia Structural Integrity, 2018, 13: 149-154.
13.	Liang H, Yang Y, Xie D, et al. Trabecular-like Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for orthopedic: fabrication by selective laser melting and in vitro biocompatibility. Journal of Materials Science, 2019, 35(7): 1284-1297.
14.	Kelly C N, Wang T, Crowley J, et al. High-strength, porous additively manufactured implants with optimized mechanical osseointegration. Biomaterials, 2021, 279: 121206.
15.	Li W, Wang Y, Yang X, et al. Comparison of bone ingrowth between two porous titanium alloy rods with biogenic lamellar structures and diamond crystal lattice on femoral condyles in rabbits. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2023, 641: 155-161.
16.	Bai F, Wang Z, Lu J, et al. The correlation between the internal structure and vascularization of controllable porous bioceramic materials in vivo: a quantitative study. Tissue Engineering Part A, 2010, 16(12): 3791-3803.
17.	Kuboki Y, Jin Q, Takita H, et al. Geometry of carriers controlling phenotypic expression in BMP-induced osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2001, 83(1): S105-S115.
18.	Taniguchi N, Fujibayashi S, Takemoto M, et al. Effect of pore size on bone ingrowth into porous titanium implants fabricated by additive manufacturing: an in vivo experiment. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2016, 59: 690-701.
19.	Wang C, Xu D, Lin L, et al. Large-pore-size Ti6Al4V scaffolds with different pore structures for vascularized bone regeneration. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2021, 131: 112499.
20.	Qu C, Yuan H. Numerical simulation of bone remodeling coupling the damage repair process in human proximal femur. Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, 2020, 125(2): 829-847.
21.	Frost H M. Bone “mass” and the “mechanostat”: a proposal. Anat Rec, 1987, 219(1): 1-9.
22.	Weinans H, Huiskes R, Grootenboer H J. The behavior of adaptive bone-remodeling simulation models. J Biomech, 1992, 25(12): 1425-1441.
23.	朱興華, 宮赫, 白雪飛, 等. 彈性模量與表觀密度的分段函數關系用于股骨近端的結構模擬. 中國生物醫學工程學報, 2003, 4(3): 250-257.
24.	Abd-Elaziem W, Darwish M A, Hamada A, et al. Titanium-based alloys and composites for orthopedic implants applications: a comprehensive review. Materials & Design, 2024: 112850.
25.	Jacobs C R. Numerical simulation of bone adaptation to mechanical loading. Stanford: Stanford University, 1994.
26.	Munyensanga P, El Mabrouk K. Elemental and experimental analysis of modified stent's structure under uniaxial compression load. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2023, 143: 105903.
27.	Lin X, Zhang R, Lu W, et al. Effect of additive manufactured gyroid porous structure of hybrid gradients on mechanical and failure properties. Additive Manufacturing Frontiers, 2024, 3(3): 200152.
28.	Guo W, Yang Y, Liu C, et al. 3D printed TPMS structural PLA/GO scaffold: Process parameter optimization, porous structure, mechanical and biological properties. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2023, 142: 105848.
29.	Yang W, Han Q, Chen H, et al. Additive manufactured trabecular-like Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for promoting bone regeneration. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2024, 188: 116-130.
30.	Liang H, Yang Y, Xie D, et al. Trabecular-like Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for orthopedic: fabrication by selective laser melting and in vitro biocompatibility. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2019, 35(7): 1284-1297.
31.	Shah F A, Snis A, Matic A, et al. 3D printed Ti6Al4V implant surface promotes bone maturation and retains a higher density of less aged osteocytes at the bone-implant interface. Acta Biomaterialia, 2016, 30: 357-367.
32.	Wu S H, Li Y, Zhang Y Q, et al. Porous titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium cage has better osseointegration and less micromotion than a poly-ether-ether-ketone cage in sheep vertebral fusion. Artificial Organs, 2013, 37(12): 191-201.
33.	Li J P, Habibovic P, van den Doel M, et al. Bone ingrowth in porous titanium implants produced by 3D fiber deposition. Biomaterials, 2007, 28(18): 2810-2820.
34.	Tan X P, Tan Y J, Chow C S L, et al. Metallic powder-bed based 3D printing of cellular scaffoldsfor orthopaedic implants: a state-of-the-art review on manufacturing, topological design, mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2017, 76: 1328-1343.
35.	Li Y, Xiong J, Hodgson P D, et al. Effects of structural property and surface modification of Ti6Ta4Sn scaffolds on the response of SaOS₂ cells for bone tissue engineering. J Alloys Compd, 2010, 494(1-2): 323-329.
36.	Chang B, Song W, Han T, et al. Influence of pore size of porous titanium fabricated by vacuum diffusion bonding of titanium meshes on cell penetration and bone ingrowth. Acta biomaterialia, 2016, 33: 311-321.
37.	Carter D R, Beaupre G S. Skeletal function and form. mechanobiology of skeletal development, aging, and regeneration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
38.	Garcia J M, Martinez M A, Doblaré M. An anisotropic internal-external bone adaptation model based on a combination of CAO and continuum damage mechanics technologies. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin, 2001, 4(4): 355-377.

1. Datta S, Mahfouf M, Zhang Q, et al. Imprecise knowledge based design and development of titanium alloys for prosthetic applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2016, 53: 350-365.
2. Li F, Li J, Xu G, et al. Fabrication, pore structure and compressive behavior of anisotropic porous titanium for human trabecular bone implant applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2015, 46: 104-114.
3. Chen J, Song C, Deng Z, et al. Functional gradient design of additive manufactured gyroid tantalum porous structures: manufacturing, mechanical behaviors and permeability. J Manuf Process, 2024, 125: 202-216.
4. Gui X, Zhang B, Song P, et al. 3D printing of biomimetic hierarchical porous architecture scaffold with dual osteoinduction and osteoconduction biofunctions for large size bone defect repair. Applied Materials Today, 2024, 37: 102085.
5. Huo H, Wen P, Cao L, et al. Design and preparation of biomimetic “hard-soft” functional scaffold with gradient irregular pore structure for bone repair. J Mater Res Technol, 2024, 33: 6363-6373.
6. 雷周激欣. 失重環境下骨重建數值模擬的理論與方法研究. 上海: 上海交通大學, 2015.
7. Hambli R, Benhamou C L, Jennane R, et al. Combined finite element model of human proximal femur behaviour considering remodeling and fracture. IRBM, 2013, 34(2): 191-195.
8. 閆宇凡. 電刺激對低載荷引發的骨重建影響的數值模擬. 天津: 天津大學, 2022.
9. 原慧. 基于損傷修復的皮質骨重建數值模擬研究. 天津: 天津大學, 2020.
10. Zhang Y, He S Y, Wang P, et al. Impacts of permeability and effective diffusivity of porous scaffolds on bone ingrowth: In silico and in vivo analyses. Biomater Adv, 2024, 161: 213901.
11. VandenHeuvel D J, Devlin B L, Buenzli P R, et al. New computational tools and experiments reveal how geometry affects tissue growth in 3D printed scaffolds. Chem Eng J Adv, 2023, 475: 145776.
12. Raghavendra S, Molinari A, Fontanari V, et al. Tensile and compression properties of variously arranged porous Ti-6Al-4V additively manufactured structures via SLM. Procedia Structural Integrity, 2018, 13: 149-154.
13. Liang H, Yang Y, Xie D, et al. Trabecular-like Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for orthopedic: fabrication by selective laser melting and in vitro biocompatibility. Journal of Materials Science, 2019, 35(7): 1284-1297.
14. Kelly C N, Wang T, Crowley J, et al. High-strength, porous additively manufactured implants with optimized mechanical osseointegration. Biomaterials, 2021, 279: 121206.
15. Li W, Wang Y, Yang X, et al. Comparison of bone ingrowth between two porous titanium alloy rods with biogenic lamellar structures and diamond crystal lattice on femoral condyles in rabbits. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2023, 641: 155-161.
16. Bai F, Wang Z, Lu J, et al. The correlation between the internal structure and vascularization of controllable porous bioceramic materials in vivo: a quantitative study. Tissue Engineering Part A, 2010, 16(12): 3791-3803.
17. Kuboki Y, Jin Q, Takita H, et al. Geometry of carriers controlling phenotypic expression in BMP-induced osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2001, 83(1): S105-S115.
18. Taniguchi N, Fujibayashi S, Takemoto M, et al. Effect of pore size on bone ingrowth into porous titanium implants fabricated by additive manufacturing: an in vivo experiment. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2016, 59: 690-701.
19. Wang C, Xu D, Lin L, et al. Large-pore-size Ti6Al4V scaffolds with different pore structures for vascularized bone regeneration. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2021, 131: 112499.
20. Qu C, Yuan H. Numerical simulation of bone remodeling coupling the damage repair process in human proximal femur. Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, 2020, 125(2): 829-847.
21. Frost H M. Bone “mass” and the “mechanostat”: a proposal. Anat Rec, 1987, 219(1): 1-9.
22. Weinans H, Huiskes R, Grootenboer H J. The behavior of adaptive bone-remodeling simulation models. J Biomech, 1992, 25(12): 1425-1441.
23. 朱興華, 宮赫, 白雪飛, 等. 彈性模量與表觀密度的分段函數關系用于股骨近端的結構模擬. 中國生物醫學工程學報, 2003, 4(3): 250-257.
24. Abd-Elaziem W, Darwish M A, Hamada A, et al. Titanium-based alloys and composites for orthopedic implants applications: a comprehensive review. Materials & Design, 2024: 112850.
25. Jacobs C R. Numerical simulation of bone adaptation to mechanical loading. Stanford: Stanford University, 1994.
26. Munyensanga P, El Mabrouk K. Elemental and experimental analysis of modified stent's structure under uniaxial compression load. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2023, 143: 105903.
27. Lin X, Zhang R, Lu W, et al. Effect of additive manufactured gyroid porous structure of hybrid gradients on mechanical and failure properties. Additive Manufacturing Frontiers, 2024, 3(3): 200152.
28. Guo W, Yang Y, Liu C, et al. 3D printed TPMS structural PLA/GO scaffold: Process parameter optimization, porous structure, mechanical and biological properties. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2023, 142: 105848.
29. Yang W, Han Q, Chen H, et al. Additive manufactured trabecular-like Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for promoting bone regeneration. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2024, 188: 116-130.
30. Liang H, Yang Y, Xie D, et al. Trabecular-like Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for orthopedic: fabrication by selective laser melting and in vitro biocompatibility. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2019, 35(7): 1284-1297.
31. Shah F A, Snis A, Matic A, et al. 3D printed Ti6Al4V implant surface promotes bone maturation and retains a higher density of less aged osteocytes at the bone-implant interface. Acta Biomaterialia, 2016, 30: 357-367.
32. Wu S H, Li Y, Zhang Y Q, et al. Porous titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium cage has better osseointegration and less micromotion than a poly-ether-ether-ketone cage in sheep vertebral fusion. Artificial Organs, 2013, 37(12): 191-201.
33. Li J P, Habibovic P, van den Doel M, et al. Bone ingrowth in porous titanium implants produced by 3D fiber deposition. Biomaterials, 2007, 28(18): 2810-2820.
34. Tan X P, Tan Y J, Chow C S L, et al. Metallic powder-bed based 3D printing of cellular scaffoldsfor orthopaedic implants: a state-of-the-art review on manufacturing, topological design, mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2017, 76: 1328-1343.
35. Li Y, Xiong J, Hodgson P D, et al. Effects of structural property and surface modification of Ti6Ta4Sn scaffolds on the response of SaOS₂ cells for bone tissue engineering. J Alloys Compd, 2010, 494(1-2): 323-329.
36. Chang B, Song W, Han T, et al. Influence of pore size of porous titanium fabricated by vacuum diffusion bonding of titanium meshes on cell penetration and bone ingrowth. Acta biomaterialia, 2016, 33: 311-321.
37. Carter D R, Beaupre G S. Skeletal function and form. mechanobiology of skeletal development, aging, and regeneration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
38. Garcia J M, Martinez M A, Doblaré M. An anisotropic internal-external bone adaptation model based on a combination of CAO and continuum damage mechanics technologies. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin, 2001, 4(4): 355-377.

Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Simulation research on the influence of regular porous lattice scaffolds on bone growth

Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

Previous Article

Next Article

Format

Content