A polymer scaffold is provided comprising an extensively interconnected macroporous
network. The polymer scaffold embodies macropores having a diameter in a range
of 0.5-3.5 mm, and preferably in a range of about 1.0-2.0 mm. The polymer scaffold
is prepared using a novel process which advantageously combines the techniques
of particulate leaching and phase inversion to render a process that provides amplified
means by which to control the morphology of the resulting polymer scaffold. The
polymer scaffold has utility in the area of tissue engineering, particularly as
a scaffold for both in vitro and in vivo cell growth. The polymer scaffold may
be produced using pure polymer or alternatively a composite material may be formed
consisting of a macroporous polymer scaffold and osteoclast-resorbable calcium
phosphate particles with a binding agent binding the calcium phosphate particles
to the polymer scaffold.