Scaffold design and fabrication

In this chapter, the authors define the needs versus the wants with respect to scaffold properties from a general point of view and attempt to define important constraints and key criteria in advanced scaffold design. We then, in turn, review the current state of the art in manufacturing techniques applied to scaffold fabrication in the context of these constraints on scaffold design. The key rationale, characteristics, and process parameters of the currently used scaffold fabrication techniques are presented. The main aim of this chapter is to assist readers in selecting a specific three-dimensional scaffold processing technology by providing information for determining the critical issues.