Polycaprolactone-based Scaffolds Fabricated Using Fused Deposition Modelling or Melt Extrusion Techniques for Bone Tissue Engineering
Bone tissue engineering is one of the most exciting current research areas owing to advances in technologies able to produce three-dimensional scaffolds which can support tissue repair and regeneration. Bone repair is generally spontaneous but in some cases, involving large bone defects or trauma, healing does not occur. Autograft is still the most efficacious repair material but the drawbacks of this are well known; donor site morbidity, lack of material and post-operative complications. Tissue engineering approaches aim to address the shortfalls of existing graft alternatives. To do this they must be both structurally relevant, offering support and allowing tissue ingrowth as well as bioactive in order to compete with autograft efficacy. This chapter aims to outline and critically assess cutting edge approaches to scaffold fabrication for bone tissue engineering utilising specific additive manufacturing techniques with a focus on polycaprolactone constructs. Current methods of fused deposition modelling and melt extrusion will be described followed by the evolution of scaffolds with a focus on production, characterisation and