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Study on the 4D printing performance of PFO occluder frames based on PLA/PEG filaments
Hai Ding1, Shuwen He1, Bingxin Ma1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Institute of Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
Designed Monomers and Polymers
|December 19, 2025
Summary
This study enhanced polylactic acid (PLA) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for 4D-printed occluder frames. Optimized 4D printing parameters significantly improved mechanical and shape memory properties for medical device applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Science
Background:
- 4D printing offers advanced capabilities for creating smart medical devices.
- Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible polymer with potential for biomedical applications, but its properties require modification.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be used to enhance PLA's properties, such as flexibility and hydrophilicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification on polylactic acid (PLA) properties for 4D-printed occluder frames.
- To optimize the fused deposition modeling (FDM) 4D printing process parameters for enhanced mechanical and shape memory performance.
- To evaluate the performance of 4D-printed PFO occluder frames fabricated from modified PLA.
Main Methods:
- Blending polylactic acid (PLA) with varying concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mn=2000).
- Characterizing the thermal, mechanical, and surface properties of the PLA/PEG blends.
- Conducting orthogonal+response surface experiments to optimize FDM 4D printing parameters (temperature, speed, fill rate).
- Evaluating the mechanical properties and shape memory recovery rates of 4D-printed PFO occluder frames.
Main Results:
- Increasing PEG content in PLA decreased glass transition temperature and increased hydrophilicity.
- Tensile strength of PLA/PEG blends decreased with higher PEG content, while elongation at break significantly increased.
- Fill rate was identified as a key factor influencing shape recovery and tensile strength in 4D-printed PLA parts.
- Occluders printed with PLA/PEG2K-25 filament exhibited superior shape recovery rates compared to PLA/PEG2K-15.
- An 8-ligament occluder design demonstrated optimal mechanical properties.
Conclusions:
- PEG modification of PLA can effectively tune its mechanical and thermal properties for 4D printing applications.
- Optimization of 4D printing parameters is crucial for achieving desired performance in PFO occluder frames.
- The developed PLA/PEG materials and optimized printing process show promise for creating advanced medical devices like PFO occluders.
