3D Printing for Cartilage Replacement: A Preliminary Study to Explore New Polymers.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Cartilage regeneration is limited due to poor vascularization, necessitating effective repair or replacement strategies.
• Additive manufacturing (AM) offers potential for creating patient-specific implants with tailored properties.
• Existing biomaterials for cartilage replacement require further characterization for optimal performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the suitability of Nylon® 12 (PA12) and LAY-FOMM® 60 (FOMM) for cartilage total replacement using fused filament fabrication (FFF).
• To characterize the chemical, thermal, swelling, and mechanical properties of PA12 and FOMM filaments and 3D-printed specimens.
• To evaluate the potential of these polymers as alternatives for native cartilage, particularly in the context of total replacement.

Main Methods:

• Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing of PA12 and FOMM polymers.
• Comprehensive characterization of filament and printed specimen properties: chemical, thermal, swelling (dry and wet states), and mechanical (ultra-micro hardness).
• Comparative analysis of material properties against native cartilage characteristics.

Main Results:

• FOMM exhibited higher swelling capacity in both dry and wet states compared to PA12, aligning better with native cartilage.
• Both PA12 and FOMM demonstrated mechanical properties exceeding those of native cartilage.
• Ultra-micro hardness tests suggested FOMM as a viable option for cartilage replacement, especially for elderly patients.

Conclusions:

• FOMM shows potential as a novel biomaterial for cartilage replacement due to its swelling behavior and mechanical profile.
• FFF-processed PA12 and FOMM possess mechanical strength suitable for load-bearing applications.
• Further research is warranted to optimize FOMM for biomedical applications in cartilage repair and regeneration.