Mechanism of compressive-performance regulation in bionic tubular scaffolds with integrated cellular structural parameters

To develop lightweight biological scaffolds with good mechanical properties, this study explores elastic tubular scaffolds’ compressive energy-absorption via bionic structures. Inspired by glass sponge microstructures and bamboo joint cross-sections, it designs four bionic cell structures and makes elastic tracheal scaffolds. Integrating lightness, peak crushing force and energy absorption, it builds an evaluation mechanism, clarifies cell structure’s effect on mechanics, finds the optimal structure and reveals 50%–55% relative density is most sensitive for better compression. In addition, during axial compression, cells with square units significantly increase the occupancy rate of the energy-absorption platform, whereas during radial compression, the hexagonal cell design exhibits the best performance. These findings provide key references for the customized design of bionic tracheal scaffolds.为开发兼具优异力学性能的轻量化生物支架，本研究通过仿生结构设计，探究弹性管状支架的压缩吸能特性。本研究受玻璃海绵微观结构与竹节横截面的启发，设计了四种仿生胞元结构，并制备了弹性气管支架。本研究综合考量轻量化、峰值挤压力与吸能性能三大核心指标，构建了一套完整的评价体系，阐明了胞元结构对力学性能的影响机制，筛选得到最优结构，并揭示出相对密度处于50%~55%区间时，压缩性能提升最为显著。此外，在轴向压缩工况下，采用方形胞元的支架可显著提升吸能平台的占比；而在径向压缩工况下，六边形胞元结构的综合表现最优。上述研究结果可为仿生气管支架的定制化设计提供关键参考依据。