Paths of least flow-resistance: Characterization for the optimization of synthetic tissue scaffold design

A method for the analysis of preferred fluid movement into and out of porous specimen's pore networks has been developed that characterizes the flow pathways inside a pore network, an important property for the design of future synthetic tissue scaffolds. Current tissue scaffolds rely on diffusion as the solute transport mechanism for the sustenance and growth of cells into the scaffold's pore network. Utilizing convective transport induced by periodic scaffold deformation or subjecting the scaffold to a fluid pressure gradient are proposed methods for delivery/removal of nutrients/metabolic waste products. These future designs require an understanding of the flow properties of the designed scaffold. The developed method for characterizing the paths of least flow-resistance is applied to a computer model porous scaffold, a synthetic porous tissue scaffold, and a sea sponge.