Reinforcement of bionic trabecular bone scaffolds for bone defect repair using the slime mould algorithm

Bionic trabecular bone scaffolds (Bio-Tb-S), which mimic the human cancellous bone, are widely recognized as the most effective repair material for large bone defects. Nevertheless, in situations with bone defects located in high-stress areas with intricate and varying mechanical environments, the scaffold necessitates reinforcement to withstand the limit stress. Achieving a balance between the “mechanical load-bearing properties, elastic modulus, and permeability” represents a substantial challenge. A scaffold with locally personalized reinforced was proposed based on slime mould algorithm (SMA), called bionic trabecular bone scaffold with slime mould algorithm (Bio-Tb-S-SMA), that is capable of echoing hard tissue characteristics. Additive manufacturing (AM) was utilized to fabricate the scaffold owing to its superior manufacturing flexibility. Compression tests, friction tests and bidirectional fluid-structure interaction experiments to evaluate the mechanical load-bearing properties, service stability, and permeability of scaffold. The results demonstrate that Bio-Tb-S-SMA effectively adapts to the complex in vivo stress environment, exhibiting strong bone-bearing capacity and service stability, while simultaneously retaining excellent permeability. Bio-Tb-S-SMA has broad potential for use as a bone repair material, and the bionic design and bionic reinforcement algorithm inject new vitality into the field of tissue engineering.