Low-temperature solvent-based 3D printing of PLGA: a parametric printability study.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Science
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer in biomedical applications.
• Fabrication of complex PLGA structures with high fidelity is crucial for advanced medical devices.
• Existing 3D printing methods may have limitations in processing PLGA at low temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and characterize a novel low-temperature 3D printing technique for PLGA constructs.
• To investigate the parametric effects on the printability of PLGA using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solvent.
• To establish optimal conditions for fabricating high-fidelity PLGA scaffolds for potential drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Parametric study of 3D printing parameters for PLGA/MEK solutions.
• Investigation of PLGA concentration, lactic to glycolic ratio, and molecular weight effects.
• Utilized Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy for solvent removal verification.

Main Results:

• High shape fidelity 3D printing of PLGA requires concentrations >80% w/v, lactic:glycolic ratio >75%, molecular weight >100 kDa, and nozzle diameter <0.96 mm.
• A vacuum drying process effectively removed residual MEK solvent.
• ¹H-NMR confirmed complete solvent removal from the fabricated PLGA constructs.

Conclusions:

• A novel low-temperature 3D printing method is established for PLGA fabrication.
• Identified critical parameters for achieving high-fidelity PLGA constructs via 3D printing.
• The developed technique and optimized parameters support the creation of PLGA scaffolds for drug-eluting implants.