ABSTRACT
Several techniques were developed to produce 3D matrices suitable for TE including nonconventional techniques. These methods include solvent casting/particulate leaching, phase separation, gas foaming, and freeze drying among others. Despite being possible to control the pore size and shape by changing the process parameters, the interconnectivity and spatial distribution of the pores is still very poor. These limitations result in partially interconnected and randomly dispersed pores leading to an insufficient vascularisation and tissue ingrowth. Additive fabrication processes represent a new group of non-conventional techniques recently introduced in the medical field (Gibson et al. 2006). Besides the high reproducibility and elevated capacity to quickly produce very complex 3D shapes, these techniques enable the fabrication of scaffolds with good control over pore size and distribution increasing the vascularisation and mass transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the scaffold (Bártolo et al. 2008).
