Novel gradient casting method provides high-throughput assessment of blended polyester poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Pure polymer films often lack the specific properties required for advanced applications like medical implants.
• Incorporating additives is crucial for tailoring thin film properties such as controlled release and material characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel gradient casting method for producing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) films with a linear gradient of additives.
• To characterize the relationship between additive concentration and material/drug release properties.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PLGA films with linear gradients of polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol using a custom glass gradient maker and film applicator.
• Characterization of film properties including thickness, additive percentage, total polymer content, elongation, modulus, and controlled drug release (using coumarin 6 and fluorescein diacetate).

Main Results:

• Successfully generated linear additive gradients in PLGA films, with phase separation as the primary limitation.
• Demonstrated a strong correlation (R > 0.93) between additive concentration and total drug release over 30 days.
• Observed near zero-order release kinetics for coumarin 6, indicating suitability for specific PLGA/additive matrices.

Conclusions:

• The gradient casting method offers a high-throughput approach for optimizing film properties for medical devices.
• PLGA films with tuneable additive gradients provide a versatile platform for controlled drug release and tailored material performance.
• The developed method facilitates the fine-tuning of drug release profiles and material properties for specific implant applications.