Quantifying pore characteristics in polymer glass–ceramics composite scaffolds using micro-tomography

Biomaterials used in bone tissue engineering should mimic the pore characteristics and micro-architectural features of bone to facilitate successful regeneration and repair of damaged tissue in vivo. The complete qualitative and quantitative analysis of pore characteristics in tissue engineering scaffolds remains a challenge. Compared to the other traditional methods, micro-tomography is a reliable, efficient, and non-destructive technique to assess micro-architectural characteristics in scaffolds. In this study, composite scaffolds comprising natural polymers (alginate, gelatin and chitosan) reinforced with glass–ceramic powder was fabricated using the freeze-drying technique. The micro-architectural features were analyzed with quantification of different parameters—pore size, pore shape, pore orientation, pore interconnectivity and fractal analysis. The scaffolds exhibited macro-porosity with good pore architecture and connectivity. The quantification of different parameters yielded promising results and micro-tomography proves to be an efficient tool for analyzing and quantifying pore characteristics in bone tissue engineering scaffolds.