| This dissertation was a proof-of-concept study which analyzed the performance of bone repair scaffolds fabricated using the TheriForm™ solid freeform fabrication (SFF) process in a rabbit calvarial defect model. The bone repair scaffolds contained engineered macroscopic channels and a controlled pore size for promotion of new bone ingrowth. Scaffolds were composed of different biocompatible materials: a composite of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymer with 20% w/w β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic, sintered hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) polymers.; The bone repair scaffolds with engineered macroscopic channels had higher percentages of new bone area compared to scaffolds without engineered channels and unfilled controls. These scaffolds had similar percentages of new bone area compared to autograft-filled control defects, suggesting that their performance was comparable to the standard material for bone grafting. An unexpected finding was the consistently unusually large amounts of new bone within the HA scaffolds, which contained pores less than 20 μm in size. This dissertation showed that scaffold architecture, as determined by the fabrication process, can enhance the ability of a biocompatible material with a favorable surface chemistry to accelerate healing of calvarial defects. |
