Processing of bioactive glass scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Biomaterials properties and pore characteristics primarily dictate the functional performance of scaffolds. Bioactive glasses are ideal candidates for making bone tissue engineering scaffolds as they can bond to bone and stimulate bone cells toward osteogenesis. A three-dimensional network of highly interconnected macropores is key to allow cell migration into the scaffolds as well as in vivo vascularization and bone ingrowth. The presence of nanosized pores can also impart extra-functionalities to the scaffold, enhancing its bioactive properties and providing drug release ability. This chapter deals with the major technological aspects relevant to the fabrication of bioactive glass scaffolds, including the fundamentals of materials processing, a summary of the conventional porogen-/template-based methods, and a picture of additive manufacturing technologies which are very promising for large-scale production of highly reproducible implants for a number of clinical applications.