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Biodegradable Poly(ester) Urethane Acrylate Resins for Digital Light Processing: From Polymer Synthesis to 3D Printed
Rong Wang1, Febriyani Damanik1, Tobias Kuhnt1
1Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|March 3, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed new biodegradable resins for Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing in tissue engineering. Higher molecular weight resins enhanced cell adhesion and metabolic activity, showing promise for biocompatible construct creation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Additive Manufacturing
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a rapid additive manufacturing method with potential in biomedical applications.
- A key limitation for DLP in tissue engineering is the scarcity of suitable biodegradable resins.
- Developing biocompatible and printable resins is crucial for advancing DLP-based tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and investigate a library of biodegradable poly(ester) resins for DLP 3D printing.
- To evaluate the printability, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility of these novel resins.
- To assess the in vivo biocompatibility of the developed resins for tissue engineering applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of biodegradable poly(ester) oligomers capped with urethane acrylate, varying in molecular weight.
- Characterization of resin printability and mechanical properties (moduli).
- Assessment of cell adhesion and metabolic activity using NCTC clone 929 (L929) cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).
- Evaluation of in vivo biocompatibility through subcutaneous implantation in a pig model.
Main Results:
- The synthesized resins demonstrated good printability, enabling the creation of complex structures with mechanical moduli (1-3 MPa) suitable for medium-soft tissues.
- While surface properties were similar across molecular weights, higher molecular weight resins significantly improved cell adhesion and metabolic activity.
- Fabricated materials showed compatibility in a subcutaneous in vivo pig model, indicating good biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- Biodegradable poly(ester) resins with tunable molecular weights are suitable for DLP 3D printing in tissue engineering.
- Higher molecular weight resins promote enhanced cellular response, crucial for tissue regeneration.
- These findings highlight the potential of molecular tuning in developing customizable, biocompatible resins for advanced tissue engineering constructs.
