Effect of Electron Beam Sterilization on Three-Dimensional-Printed Polycaprolactone/Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Providing customized geometries and improved control in physical and biological properties, 3D-printed polycaprolactone/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β-TCP) composite constructs are of high interest for bone tissue engineering applications. A critical step toward the translation and clinical applications of these types of scaffolds is terminal sterilization, and E-beam irradiation might be the most relevant method because of PCL properties. Through in vitro experimental testing of both physical and biological properties, it is proven in this article that E-beam irradiation is relevant for sterilization of 3D-printed PCL/β-TCP scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.