FIG. 2.

Micro-CT imaging and SEM confirm uniform coating of the collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffold by the bCaP deposition method. (A) The as-received scaffold is nearly radiolucent and barely visible by Micro-CT (dotted lines outline the scaffold), (i) while after bCaP coating, the scaffold became denser and radio-opaque throughout (v). (B) SEM images of cross-sections of the scaffold at a variety of magnifications show that the porous structure is retained during bCaP deposition (ii–viii). Fibers are present in as-received material (iii) and after bCaP coating (vii). The distinctive nanocrystalline structure of the carbonated apatite layer formed by the bCaP simulated body fluid method can be seen in (viii) after the bCaP coating process relative to uncoated scaffold (iv). bCaP, biomimetic calcium phosphate; micro-CT, microcomputed tomography; SEM, scanning electron microscopy.