Fig. 8.

Micro-CT images of both longitudinal and transverse sections of porous scaffolds following implantation, as well as an analysis of new bone growth within the porous structure and bone metrology. A: The general process and the implantation position of the porous metal scaffold in vivo. B and C: The micro-CT images of the longitudinal and transverse sections of each scaffold after four(B) and twelve(C) weeks of implantation (scale bars = 2 mm). D and E: By marking the scaffold structure in yellow and the bone ingrowth structure in red, the visualization of new bone growth is enhanced. At four weeks post-implantation, the new bone began to make contact with the scaffold from all sides, grew within the porous scaffold, and extended into the shallower pores (D). By twelve weeks post-implantation, the new bone advanced into the deeper regions of the porous structure, ultimately filling all of the pores (E). The cylindrical porous scaffold measured φ3 mm × 5 mm. F: New bone volume/total volume (BV/TV%); G: The number of new bone trabeculae; H: The thickness of the newly formed trabecular bone. All statistical data are represented as mean ± SD (n = 3; ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001).