Additive Manufacturing of Functionally Graded Porous Scaffolds for Bone Implant Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a transformative technology in the field of biomedical engineering, enabling the creation of complex and patient-specific implants with unprecedented precision. In orthopedics and maxillofacial surgery, bone deformities caused by trauma, illness, or congenital anomalies pose significant challenges. Traditional implant materials often lack the necessary compatibility with the host tissue which can result in complications such as implant loosening or infection. These problems can be creatively solved by functionally graded porous scaffolds, a unique paradigm in the field of implantable materials. Functionally graded scaffolds (FGS) facilitate a gentle transition from the implant to the host tissue, decreasing stress concentrations and fostering seamless integration, with an emphasis on emulating the natural architecture of bone. This chapter offers a comprehensive analysis of the conceptual framework, material selection, and state-of-the-art AM processes used in the production of these complex structures. Additionally, multiple design strategies for functionally graded bone scaffold (FGBS) have also been covered. The biofunctionalization aspects such as permeability and cytotoxicity of the additively manufactured FGBS are discussed in detail.