Numerical Modeling in the Design and Evaluation of Scaffolds for Orthopaedics Applications

Numerical modeling becomes a very useful tool for design and preclinical evaluation of scaffold for tissue engineering. This chapter illustrates, how finite element analysis and genetic algorithm maybe applied to predict the mechanical performance of novel scaffolds, with a honeycomb-like pattern, a fully interconnected channel network, and controllable porosity fabricated in layers of directionally aligned microfibers deposited using a computer-controlled extrusion process.