Porous 3D modeled scaffolds of bioactive glass and photocrosslinkable poly(ε-caprolactone) by stereolithography

Bioactive glass is known to benefit cell interactions of polymeric tissue engineering scaffolds. Most likely, the best response is obtained when the glass is on the scaffold surface without a cover. We combined a photocrosslinkable poly(ε-caprolactone) resin with bioactive glass in a rapid prototyping process. Bioactive glass was homogeneously distributed through the highly porous scaffolds and their surface. Ion release measurements in simulated body fluid revealed a rapid decrease in calcium and phosphorus concentrations. The presence of calcium phosphate deposits on the surface of the composite scaffolds indicated in vitro bioactivity. The bioactive glass increased the metabolic activity of fibroblasts. Our work showed that stereolithography enables the fabrication of well-defined composite scaffolds in which the bioactive glass is homogeneously distributed on the surface and readily available for rapid ion release and cell interactions. By stereolithography, an unwanted polymer layer covering the BG particles on the scaffold surface can be successfully avoided.