4D printing of biodegradable elastomers with tailorable thermal response at physiological temperature
Abstract
4D printing has a great potential for the manufacturing of soft robotics and medical devices. The alliance of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing and novel shape-memory photopolymers allows for the fabrication of smart 4D-printed medical devices in high resolution and with tailorable functionalities. However, most of the reported 4D-printed materials are nondegradable, which limits their clinical applications. On the other hand, 4D printing of biodegradable shape-memory elastomers is highly challenging, especially when transition points close to physiological temperature and shape fixation under ambient conditions are required. Here, we report the 4D printing of biodegradable shape-memory elastomers with tailorable transition points covering physiological temperature, by using poly(D,L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) methacrylates at various monomer feed ratios. After the programming step, the high-resolution DLP printed stents preserved their folded shape at room temperature, and showed efficient shape recovery at 37 °C. The materials were cytocompatible and readily degradable under physiological conditions. Furthermore, drug-loaded devices with tuneable release kinetics were realized by DLP-printing with resins containing polymers and levofloxacin or nintedanib. This study offers a new perspective for the development of next-generation 4D-printed medical devices. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000627392Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of Controlled ReleaseVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
ElsevierSubject
3D printing; 4D printing; Shape-memoryOrganisational unit
03811 - Leroux, Jean-Christophe / Leroux, Jean-Christophe
03831 - Studart, André R. / Studart, André R.
Funding
177178 - 3D printing manufacturing of patient-tailored drug releasing stents (SNF)
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