Abstract
This study investigated the effects of the three‐dimensional (3‐D) pore structure of a porous hydroxyapatite/collagen (HAp/Col) composite on their mechanical properties and in vivo tissue ingrowth. The unique 3‐D pore structure, comprising unidirectionally interconnected pores, was fabricated by the unidirectional growth of ice crystals by using a cooling stage and a subsequent freeze‐drying process. The unidirectional pores had a spindle‐shaped cross section, and their size gradually increased from the bottom to the upper face. The porous composite showed an elastic property and anisotropic compressive strength for the pore directions. While the strength and modulus parallel to the pore axis were 1.3‐ and twofold higher than those of the porous composite with spherical pores formed randomly, the strength and modulus perpendicular to the pore axis showed the lowest values. The subcutaneous implantations revealed that when compared with the random pores, the unidirectional pores promote the ingrowth of the surrounding tissues into the pores. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007