The present invention provides a method for designing three-dimensional
scaffold structures that are anatomically accurate and possess the
necessary internal porous micro-architecture design, wherein the porous
micro-architecture is necessary for the proliferation and colonization of
cultured cells that lead to tissue formation. The design method of the
present invention utilizes the patient data derived from medical imaging
modalities (e.g., CT or MRI) in combination with computer data
manipulation techniques. The present invention further provides that the
resultant scaffold design can be easily manufactured by Rapid Prototyping
fabrication techniques.