Accelerated Degradation Tests of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications
Type of Submission
Poster
Keywords
PLA, 3D printing, Tissue engineering, Scaffolds, biodegradable, Degradation test, Accelerated degradation.
Proposal
Knowledge of biodegradation rates of polymer (Polylactic acid, or PLA) 3D printable scaffolds for tissue engineering applications is important for assessing s performance and mechanical property changes with time. However, degradation testing can be time prohibiting. In this study, PLA scaffolds were tested to determine degradation rates using accelerated testing modalities. Sixteen diamond-type scaffold specimens were selected for the assessment of PLA sustainability due to soaking in physiological saline (0.9% NaCL) and separated into two groups of eight held at 50° C and 70° C. Specimens were weighted, measured and mechanically tested at the onset of the protocol (t = 0 days) and at 3-4 day increments following this. Specimens were tested through mechanical compression between steel plates and were not loaded beyond the elastic region of the material, identified by loading to yield before the beginning of the testing. Following testing, the structural stiffness (Load/displacement) was calculated from the slope of the load-displacement curve within the linear elastic region. Continuing testing includes a 37° C test group to imitate normal body temperature and comparison to previous data of room temperature (20° C) soaking. Current results indicate that at 3 days in the 70° C group, the specimens displayed a 5-10% mass loss and had already degraded to the point of physical indications and could not be tested without breaking. The 50° C group lasted 7 days before beginning to physically degrade as well. It was previously concluded that scaffolds printed from PLA do not biodegrade at room temperature within an extended period of time (32 weeks), so this study indicates a strong dependence of degradation rates on temperature. Data collection and synthesis continues to assess temperature and soaking effects on PLA scaffolds used for tissue engineering.
Creative Commons License
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Accelerated Degradation Tests of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications
Knowledge of biodegradation rates of polymer (Polylactic acid, or PLA) 3D printable scaffolds for tissue engineering applications is important for assessing s performance and mechanical property changes with time. However, degradation testing can be time prohibiting. In this study, PLA scaffolds were tested to determine degradation rates using accelerated testing modalities. Sixteen diamond-type scaffold specimens were selected for the assessment of PLA sustainability due to soaking in physiological saline (0.9% NaCL) and separated into two groups of eight held at 50° C and 70° C. Specimens were weighted, measured and mechanically tested at the onset of the protocol (t = 0 days) and at 3-4 day increments following this. Specimens were tested through mechanical compression between steel plates and were not loaded beyond the elastic region of the material, identified by loading to yield before the beginning of the testing. Following testing, the structural stiffness (Load/displacement) was calculated from the slope of the load-displacement curve within the linear elastic region. Continuing testing includes a 37° C test group to imitate normal body temperature and comparison to previous data of room temperature (20° C) soaking. Current results indicate that at 3 days in the 70° C group, the specimens displayed a 5-10% mass loss and had already degraded to the point of physical indications and could not be tested without breaking. The 50° C group lasted 7 days before beginning to physically degrade as well. It was previously concluded that scaffolds printed from PLA do not biodegrade at room temperature within an extended period of time (32 weeks), so this study indicates a strong dependence of degradation rates on temperature. Data collection and synthesis continues to assess temperature and soaking effects on PLA scaffolds used for tissue engineering.
