Implantable and Degradable Thermoplastic Elastomer
Allison Siehr1, Craig Flory2, Trenton Callaway1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 312 Church St. SE, 7-105 Nils Hasselmo Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|November 17, 2021
Summary
A new thermoplastic elastomer, poly(lactide)-co-poly(β-methyl-δ-valerolactone)-co-poly(lactide) (PLA-PβMδVL-PLA), offers excellent elasticity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility for biomedical uses.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Biodegradable and elastomeric materials are crucial for biomedical applications.
- Existing materials often present limitations in balancing elasticity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel thermoplastic triblock poly(α-ester), PLA-PβMδVL-PLA.
- To evaluate its elastomeric properties, biodegradability, and in vitro/in vivo biocompatibility.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PLA-PβMδVL-PLA triblock copolymer.
- Mechanical testing (elongation at break, recovery).
- In vitro and in vivo degradation studies.
- Cytotoxicity assays.
- Histopathological analysis of implanted specimens in rats.
Main Results:
- PLA-PβMδVL-PLA exhibits excellent elasticity (approx. 1000% elongation at break) and shape recovery.
- The material demonstrates tunable biodegradability in vitro and in vivo, degrading slower than poly(glycerol sebacate) but faster than poly(caprolactone) in vivo.
- High cytocompatibility of the polymer and its degradation products was observed.
- Histopathology revealed favorable tissue response comparable to established implantable polymers like poly(glycerol sebacate) and poly(caprolactone).
- Thermoplastic processing enabled facile fabrication of topographical substrates for cell alignment.
Conclusions:
- PLA-PβMδVL-PLA is a promising biodegradable elastomer with excellent mechanical and biocompatibility properties.
- Its tunable degradation and processability make it suitable for advanced biomedical applications.
- This material holds potential for use in medical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds.
