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Parametric Optimization of 3D Printed Hydrogel-Based Cardiovascular Stent.
Krishna Veerubhotla1, Yugyung Lee2, Chi H Lee3
1Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, HSB-4242, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
Pharmaceutical Research
|May 10, 2021
Summary
Personalized biodegradable stents (BDS) were developed using 3D printing for coronary heart disease. Adding nanofibers to alginate hydrogels enhanced stent biodegradation and biocompatibility for potential clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Medical Device Engineering
Background:
- Coronary heart disease necessitates effective treatments, with biodegradable stents (BDS) offering a promising alternative to permanent implants.
- Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology enables the customized fabrication of medical devices with high precision and reproducibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop personalized biodegradable stents (BDS) for coronary heart disease treatment using 3D printing.
- To investigate the printability and characteristics of various hydrogel formulations for BDS fabrication.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, swelling behavior, biodegradation rates, and biocompatibility of the developed BDS.
Main Methods:
- Three hydrogel formulations were prepared: sodium alginate (SA), cysteine-modified sodium alginate (SA-CYS), and SA-CYS with polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers (SA-CYS-NF).
- BDS were fabricated using a 3D printing technique with varying print parameters (viscosity, distance, speed, nozzle size).
- Stent properties including strut thickness, swelling ratio, mechanical strength, biodegradation, and cytotoxicity were assessed through in vitro studies.
Main Results:
- Alginate-based hydrogels exhibited sufficient viscosity for 3D printing, with strut thickness varying based on composition (SA: 338.7 ± 29.3 μm, SA-CYS: 262.5 ± 14.7 μm, SA-CYS-NF: 237.1 ± 14.7 μm).
- The SA-CYS-NF stent demonstrated the highest swelling ratio (38.8 ± 2.9%) within 30 minutes, compared to SA (23.1 ± 2.4%) and SA-CYS (22.0 ± 2.4%).
- The printed stents exhibited adequate mechanical strength, stability under physiological stress, enhanced biodegradation with nanofibers, and no cytotoxic effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and Raw 264.7 cells.
Conclusions:
- 3D printing facilitates the fabrication of personalized BDS with tunable properties.
- The addition of PLA nanofibers to alginate hydrogels significantly improves stent biodegradation rates.
- The developed BDS are biocompatible and show potential for future clinical applications in treating coronary heart disease.
