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International Journal of Bioprinting 3D-printed variable stiffness scaffolds

Figure 4. Design of the 3D-printed meniscus scaffold: (A) Overall macrostructure: (A, i) overall view, (ii) top view, and (iii) front view; (B) Internal
macrostructure: (B, i) internal architecture and (B, ii) zoomed-in fiber spacing of 1 and 2 mm with 1 offset; and (C) 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL)
meniscus scaffold: (C, i) overall view, (C, ii) cross-section of the internal microstructure, and (C, iii) cross-section illustration of the meniscus with different
regions in the internal architecture. Group A refers to 2 mm fiber spacing and 1 offset; Group B refers to 1 mm fiber spacing and 1 offset.

overall morphology of the constructs was determined and distribution. 29,44,45 Controlling the pore size and
(Figure 5A). After the freeze-drying process, all scaffold interconnectivity is essential for successfully creating
compositions maintained structural robustness, and PCL porous biomaterials and scaffolds. 46,47 Cell functions and
fibers retained their structure. the regeneration of new tissue are reliant on pore size. 29,48
It has been established that the pore diameter must be
3.6. Morphological analysis of the ECM-infiltrated large enough to allow infiltration of the cells, but small
PCL scaffold enough to present a large scaffold surface area for cellular
The pore architecture of scaffolds significantly affects attachment. Hybrid scaffolds were developed as described
46
their physical properties, as well as cellular activity above. The effect of pre-freeze temperature on the porous

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 502 doi: 10.36922/ijb.3784