ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a background for the laser micro-welding of magnesium alloys for bone tissue engineering scaffolds (BTES), covering an overview of the BTES principles and requirements. BTES combines principles of engineering materials, physicochemical factors, and the use of cells to develop biological substitutes to repair segmental bone defects that are difficult to treat by conventional methods. BTES are 3D complex structures constructed with a biocompatible material and a designed internal porosity that allows bone growth. Magnesium BTES have great potential due to their biodegradability and capacity to induce no inflammatory or systemic response. A practical summary is included to study the laser sources, process parameters, and common defects found in the laser micro welding of magnesium alloys. Additionally, a novel method for joining magnesium tubes and sheets is presented to produce scaffolds for tissue engineering with mechanical properties similar to bone stiffness.
