Preparation of micro-fabricated biodegradable polymeric structures using NCDS

PLGA scaffolds were prepared using a nano-composite deposition system (NCDS). 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was used as a model drug. Hydroxyapatite (HA) was included in the scaffolds to improve the mechanical properties of the scaffolds and modulate the release of 5-FU from the scaffolds. 5-FU and HA were dispersed well in the prepared scaffolds when evaluated with SEM, FT-IR, XRPD and DSC. The release of 5-FU from the prepared scaffolds consisting of different compositions was determined using 40 mL PBS as the medium. The release profiles of 5-FU from PLGA scaffolds followed the typical triphasic release pattern. The addition of HA to the compositions increased the release rate of 5-FU from the scaffolds and improved the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, while it retarded the degradation of PLGA. Therefore, NCDS could be a good system to prepare polymeric implants of various shapes with different drug release patterns.