Computer‐aided tissue engineering: application to biomimetic modelling and design of tissue scaffolds

Abstract

Computer‐aided tissue engineering (CATE) enables many novel approaches in modelling, design and fabrication of complex tissue substitutes with enhanced functionality and improved cell–matrix interactions. Central to CATE is its bio‐tissue informatics model that represents tissue biological, biomechanical and biochemical information that serves as a central repository to interface design, simulation and tissue fabrication. The present paper discusses the application of a CATE approach to the biomimetic design of bone tissue scaffold. A general CATE‐based process for biomimetic modelling, anatomic reconstruction, computer‐assisted‐design of tissue scaffold, quantitative‐computed‐tomography characterization, finite element analysis and freeform extruding deposition for fabrication of scaffold is presented.