Influence of Controlled Cooling on Crystallinity of Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Scaffolds after Hydrolytic Degradation

Abstract

<jats:p>The use of hybrid manufacturing to produce bimodal scaffolds has represented a great advancement in tissue engineering. These scaffolds provide a favorable environment in which cells can adhere and produce new tissue. However, there are several areas of opportunity to manufacture structures that provide enough strength and rigidity, while also improving chemical integrity. As an advancement in the manufacturing process of scaffolds, a cooling system was introduced in a fused deposition modeling (FDM) machine to vary the temperature on the printing bed. Two groups of polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds were then printed at two different bed temperatures. The rate of degradation was evaluated during eight weeks in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) in a controlled environment (37 °C–120 rpm) to assess crystallinity. Results showed the influence of the cooling system on the degradation rate of printed scaffolds after the immersion period. This phenomenon was attributable to the mechanism associated with alkaline hydrolysis, where a higher degree of crystallinity obtained in one group induced greater rates of mass loss. The overall crystallinity was observed, through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, to increase with time because of the erosion of some amorphous parts after immersion.</jats:p>

A comparative analysis of 3D printed scaffolds consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and different bioactive mineral fillers: aspects of degradation and cytocompatibility

“…4 Further, the degradation time and behaviour of PLA can be tailored by adjusting its crystallinity. 5 Whereas the polymers, consisting of either l - or d -lactide only show high crystallinity and therefore long degradation times, the racemic polymer PLDA degrades significantly faster. 6 Additionally, co-polymerization was shown to promote degradability.…”

Natural Products, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the Quintuple Helix

“…205 Poly-lactic acid (PLA) fulfils many requirements for the polymer construction of devices, including mechanical strength, processibility, 206 and complete microbial biodegradability to non-toxic products. [207][208][209] Bioprinting is the synchronous positioning of living cells and biomaterials in a defined layer-by-layer stacking process to form a 3D scaffold. 210 A range of applications for 3D-printing occurs within the framework of natural product chemistry and biology.…”

“…205 Poly-lactic acid (PLA) fulfils many requirements for the polymer construction of devices, including mechanical strength, processibility, 206 and complete microbial biodegradability to non-toxic products. 207 -209…”