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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold
Published on: October 23, 2015
4D Printing of Biocompatible Scaffolds via In Situ Photo-crosslinking from Shape Memory Copolyesters
Kun Luo1, Li Wang1,2, Man-Xi Wang1
1Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
This study introduces 4D printing for creating advanced shape memory scaffolds from biocompatible polyesters. These scaffolds offer enhanced bonding and mechanical properties for minimally invasive soft tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Large-area soft tissue injuries present challenges for implant placement.
- Aliphatic polyesters are suitable for tissue engineering scaffolds due to biodegradability and biocompatibility.
- Shape-memory effect (SME) scaffolds can reduce trauma during implantation, but adaptable processing is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 4D printing strategy for fabricating precise, adaptable shape memory scaffolds for personalized soft tissue repair.
- To enhance scaffold layer bonding and mechanical properties using in situ crosslinking during fused deposition modeling (FDM).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of linear copolyesters with catalyst-free, photo-crosslinkable functional groups derived from cinnamic acid.
- Utilized fused deposition modeling (FDM) for 4D printing of scaffolds.
- Employed ultraviolet-assisted irradiation for in situ crosslinking to improve layer adhesion.
Main Results:
- The 4D printed scaffolds exhibited excellent shape memory effect (SME).
- Achieved desirable mechanical performance and good stability in aqueous environments due to chemical crosslinking.
- Demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in both in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
Conclusions:
- Developed a feasible strategy for 4D printing crosslinkable shape memory scaffolds with fine architectures.
- The composite scaffolds show potential for minimally invasive soft tissue repair, including applications like blood vessel regeneration.
- The integration of SME and 4D printing offers a promising approach for patient-specific tissue engineering solutions.
