Endocultivation: 3D printed customized porous scaffolds for heterotopic bone induction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of computer assisted designed (CAD) synthetic hydroxyapatite and tricalciumphosphate blocks to serve as precise scaffolds for intramuscular bone induction in a rat model. A central channel to allow for vessel pedicle or nerve integration was added. Natural bovine hydroxyapatite blocks served as controls to evaluate and compare biocompatibility of the new matrices.