3D-Printed PCL/PLA Composite Stents: Towards a New Solution to Cardiovascular Problems

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Science
• Medical Device Manufacturing

Background:

• Biodegradable stents (BRS) have significant potential but face challenges in meeting all five key requirements for clinical success.
• Existing manufacturing methods like laser cutting are unsuitable for creating composite stents with tailored properties.
• The mechanical behavior and endothelialization aspects of BRS have been less explored compared to degradation and biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate Polycaprolactone/Polylactide Acid (PCL/PLA) composite biodegradable stents (BRS) using a novel 3D tubular printing approach.
• To assess the suitability of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) for fabricating BRS that meet stringent mechanical and biological criteria.
• To correlate stent design parameters and material properties with cell proliferation, degradation, and mechanical performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PCL/PLA composite stents using a 3D tubular printer based on Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM).
• Analysis of cell geometry and material composition (PCL and PLA).
• Evaluation through 3T3 cell proliferation assays, degradation rate studies, dynamic mechanical testing, and radial expansion tests.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printing process achieved high accuracy (85-95%) in producing composite stents.
• Both PCL and PLA demonstrated biocompatibility, with significant 3T3 cell proliferation observed.
• PCL/PLA composite stents exhibited suitable degradation rates, mechanical properties, and radial expansion characteristics, combining PCL's elasticity with PLA's rigidity.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed PCL/PLA composite stents are a viable and promising solution for meeting the rigorous requirements of biodegradable stents.
• The FDM-based 3D printing technique is effective for manufacturing complex composite stent structures.
• These composite stents show potential for improved vascular tissue support and restoration, addressing key limitations in current BRS technology.