Biodegradable Polyester Materials:
Biodegradable polyester materials are a class of polymer materials that have the ability to degrade biologically. These materials can gradually break down into smaller molecules in the natural environment or through enzymatic action within the body, ultimately being absorbed or excreted by the organism. Due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and processing properties, they have broad application prospects in the medical field.
Common Biodegradable Polyester Materials: These include Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), Poly Glycolic Acid (PGA), Poly ε-Caprolactone (PCL), Poly Trimethylene Carbonate (PTMC), and Poly (1,4-dioxan-2-one) (PPDO), among others. By adjusting the monomer ratios and copolymerization methods, these materials can be tailored to regulate their degradation rates, mechanical properties, and hydrophobicity, making them suitable for different medical applications.
When combined with 3D printing technology, biodegradable polyester materials show great potential in medical customization, enabling the precise fabrication of complex medical implants, surgical guides, and other devices that meet the specific needs of patients. This technology allows for the creation of personalized medical solutions, and once the materials have completed their intended tasks, they can be absorbed by the body, reducing the risk of secondary surgeries and promoting patient recovery.
1. Customization of Biodegradable Polyester Materials in Medical Applications
Customization Approaches
- Monomer Ratio and Copolymerization Method:
By adjusting the monomer ratio and copolymerization methods of biodegradable polyester materials, the degradation rate, mechanical properties, and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the materials can be precisely controlled.
For example, the copolymer of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and Poly ε-Caprolactone (PCL), known as PLCL, can be customized by varying the ratio of PLA and PCL to control the degradation rate and mechanical properties of the material.
- Molecular Chain Structure Design:
Through molecular chain structure design, such as adjusting the polymer’s molecular weight, molecular distribution, end-group modifications, block copolymerization, branching, crosslinking, or hyperbranched structures, the material’s performance can be further fine-tuned.
For example, introducing toughening segments or creating crosslinked networks can enhance the strength and toughness of PLA.
- Aggregation State Structure Control:
By controlling the orientation, crystallization, and other aggregation state structures of the polymer, the material’s degradation rate and mechanical properties can be adjusted.
For example, inducing the orientation of PLLA through stretching to form fibrous crystals can enhance its mechanical properties. By using nucleating agents to adjust the crystallinity of PLLA, the degradation rate of the material can be controlled.
- Blending Design:
Blending techniques can be used to design heterogeneous phase structures, effectively adjusting the properties of biodegradable polyester materials.
For instance, introducing bioactive inorganic nanoparticles through blending can improve the mechanical strength and bioactivity of biodegradable polyester composites. Additionally, blending with photoactive materials can impart photoreactive properties to biodegradable polyester materials.
Personalized Application Examples
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Biodegradable polyester materials can be used to create 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering, which can be personalized based on the specific needs of the patient. For example, by adjusting the degradation rate and mechanical properties of the material, scaffolds can be fabricated that match the patient’s tissue, promoting tissue regeneration and repair.
- Surgical Assistance Tools: 3D printing technology can also be used to create surgical assistance tools, such as surgical guides, surgical models, and more. These tools can help doctors simulate and plan surgeries before the actual procedure, improving the precision and safety of surgeries.
- Biodegradable Medical Devices: Devices such as biodegradable stents can gradually degrade after implantation, avoiding the long-term risks associated with traditional metal stents. Additionally, the personalized design of biodegradable stents can better adapt to the patient’s vascular structure, enhancing treatment outcomes.
PCL, PLA, and PLCL each have their own characteristics in the field of biomedical materials. PCL has good biocompatibility, controllable degradation, and excellent mechanical properties. However, its degradation rate is slow, and its strength is relatively low. PLA is fully biodegradable, has good processing performance, and high mechanical strength. However, it is brittle, and its degradation rate may be too fast.
PLCL combines the toughness of PCL and the strength of PLA, with a controllable degradation rate, excellent mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility. It is suitable for a variety of tissue engineering applications, including cartilage repair, nerve conduits, vascular stents, and bone repair. The application of PLCL in additive manufacturing for tissue engineering shows significant advantages and potential.
2. Application of PLCL Additive Manufacturing Technology in Tissue Engineering
- Tracheal Stents: Using PLCL materials with shape memory functionality, tracheal stents with personalized shapes and sizes are fabricated through 3D printing technology. These stents can quickly recover their predetermined shape after implantation, providing stable support to the trachea, while also offering excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability.
- Breast Implants: Personalized breast implants are made from biodegradable polyester materials, tailored to the patient’s breast shape and size requirements. These implants gradually degrade over time and are eventually absorbed by the body, avoiding the long-term complications that traditional implants may cause.
- Other Medical Devices: Biodegradable polyester materials can also be used to fabricate personalized orthopedic implants, cardiovascular interventional devices, absorbable sutures, and other medical instruments. These devices can be customized to meet the individual needs of patients, improving treatment outcomes and enhancing the patient’s quality of life.
eSUNMed has successfully applied PLCL additive manufacturing technology in tissue engineering and expanded its use into various fields, including medical 3D printing filaments, biological 3D printing, and SLS 3D printing of medical microsphere materials.
3. Applications of Biodegradable Medical Materials
- Medical 3D Printing Filaments
PLA medical filaments have significant application value in 3D printing for mandibular/cranial bone repair, cartilage repair porous scaffolds, vascular stents, and more. Its excellent bioresorbability, high strength, ductility, and good biocompatibility make PLA 3D printing filaments widely used in the medical field. For example, absorbable mandibular bone repair implants and porous bone repair scaffolds.
- Application of Medical Microsphere Materials in SLS 3D Printing
On July 23, 2024, Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary eSUNMed Biotechnology (Shenzhen)Co.,Ltd. successfully developed a technology named “A Controlled Microsphere Preparation Process for Medical 3D Printing” which officially passed review by the National Intellectual Property Office and was granted a national invention patent. This invention focuses on developing a preparation process that ensures microspheres used in medical 3D printing have controllable particle sizes and biodegradation rates.
The core of this preparation process is the precise control of microsphere particle size and biodegradation rate, providing strong support for the application of SLS 3D printing technology in the medical field.
Applications of Medical Microspheres in SLS 3D Printing
- Drug Delivery Systems
Medical microspheres can serve as carriers for drug delivery systems, precisely fabricated through SLS 3D printing technology with specific structures and properties. These microspheres can carry drug components and achieve precise drug release in the body, improving drug efficacy and reducing side effects. - Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Using SLS 3D printing technology, tissue engineering scaffolds with biomimetic structures and mechanical properties can be fabricated. Medical microspheres, as part of the scaffolds, provide the necessary support and nutrients for cell growth, promoting tissue regeneration and repair. - Cell Culture Microenvironments
Through SLS 3D printing technology, cell culture microenvironments with microporous structures and complex geometries can be fabricated. Medical microspheres, as part of the microenvironment, provide attachment points and nutrients for cell growth, optimizing cell culture conditions.
3. Bio 3D Printing
PCL is a thermoplastic polyester with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical properties. PCL materials can be processed through different 3D printing techniques (such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), etc.) to form 3D printed products with complex structures and functions.
Particle Melting Extrusion is an important process in bio 3D printing, where PCL particles are heated to a molten state and extruded through a nozzle onto the printing platform, layer by layer, to form a 3D structure. This process offers advantages like high precision, high efficiency, and high flexibility, meeting various medical needs.
Applications:
- Tissue Engineering:
PCL can be used as scaffold material in tissue engineering to support cell growth and differentiation, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. Through bio 3D printing technology, complex and functional tissue engineering scaffolds can be fabricated, offering better support for tissue repair and regeneration. - Surgical Planning:
Using PCL materials, 3D models of specific patient areas can be printed to assist surgeons in planning and simulating surgeries. This improves surgical accuracy and safety, reducing surgery risks. - Medical Devices and Implants:
PCL materials can also be used to manufacture medical devices and implants, such as surgical guides, bone screws, and bone plates. These medical devices and implants offer excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties, catering to various medical needs.
eSUNMed focuses on the precision processing of medical-grade monomers, polymers (especially key materials like PLA, PCL, PLGA), and microspheres, while also offering other polymer materials, advanced medical 3D printing materials, and diversified processing services. This forms a comprehensive and professional product system. eSUNMed mainly serves manufacturers of absorbable medical devices, research institutions, and scientific research organizations, with a deep focus on innovative applications in key medical fields such as aesthetic fillers, absorbable orthopedic devices, cardiovascular intervention equipment, and absorbable sutures. By providing these high-performance medical materials and processing services, we aim to meet and drive technological innovation and product upgrades in these industries, contributing to the enhancement of medical quality and patient well-being.
The bio-medical polymer materials industry is thriving, showing vast potential for future growth. eSUNMed Biotechnology (Shenzhen)Co.,Ltd. eagerly looks forward to inviting experts, scholars, and colleagues from upstream and downstream enterprises in the bio-medical materials field to visit, guide, and engage in in-depth discussions and collaboration opportunities on industry development, technology exchange, and cooperation!