Application of X-ray micro-computed tomography on macroporous calcium phosphate glass scaffolds

A numerous techniques have been applied to fabricate three-dimensional scaffolds of high porosity and surface area. And X-ray micro computed tomography can be used studying the architecture of scaffold. In this study, we fabricated three-dimensional macroporous scaffold by polymeric sponge method using calcium phosphate glass. Calcium phosphate glass slurry was prepared by dissolving the glass powder in water polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol and dimethyl formamide. Reticulated polyurethane sponges were used as a template and were coated with the prepared slurry by infiltration technique several times. Sintering at 950°C exhibited dense microstructure as well as entire elimination of organic additives. By repeating the coating and sintering process, it was possible to decrease the pore size and be thick the strut of the structure. The unique feature of the micro computed tomography is that the three dimensions computed reconstruction can be sliced along any direction to gain accurate information on the internal geometric properties and structural parameters of scaffold. Porosity, surface area per unit volume and mean thickness of strut were evaluated through imaging and computer software of scaffold scan data.