Pore structure plays an important role in the in vivo osteogenesis for bone repair materials. In this study, honeycomb β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds were prepared by extrusion method, and gelatin microspheres were used as porogens to modify the pore structure of the scaffolds. The honeycomb β‐TCP scaffolds were characterized by channel‐like square macropores and unidirectional interconnection. To improve the pore interconnectivity of the scaffold, the spherical pores were formed in the channel walls by burning off the gelatin microspheres. Compared with unidirectional honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold, the honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold with interconnected pore structure had significantly higher porosity and faster degradation rate, at the expense of the mechanical strength. The in vivo assessment results demonstrated excellent osteogenesis of the honeycomb scaffolds. Moreover, the honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold with interconnected pore structure markedly promoted new bone formation in comparison with the unidirectional honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold. This work provides a new approach to prepare scaffolds with interconnected pore structure, and the honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold with interconnected pore structure is expected to serve as an efficient bone repair material.

中文翻译：

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通过构建相互连接的孔结构增强蜂窝β-磷酸三钙支架的成骨：一项体内研究。

孔结构在骨修复材料的体内成骨中起着重要作用。本研究采用挤压法制备蜂窝状β-磷酸三钙（β-TCP）支架，并以明胶微球为致孔剂对支架的孔结构进行改性。蜂窝状β-TCP支架的特点是通道状方形大孔和单向互连。为了改善支架的孔互连性，通过烧掉明胶微球在通道壁中形成球形孔。与单向蜂窝β-TCP支架相比，具有互连孔结构的蜂窝β-TCP支架具有显着更高的孔隙率和更快的降解速率，但以牺牲机械强度为代价。体内评估结果表明蜂窝支架具有出色的成骨作用。此外，与单向蜂窝状β-TCP支架相比，具有互连孔结构的蜂窝状β-TCP支架显着促进了新骨的形成。这项工作为制备具有互连孔结构的支架提供了一种新方法，具有互连孔结构的蜂窝状β-TCP支架有望作为一种有效的骨修复材料。