Biopolymer-based composites, which are being employed extensively in biomedical applications have exceptional physical and mechanical properties. However, printing composites is a challenging task for biomedical applications. The current work highlights the impact of process parameters of fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology, that is, layer height, number of loops, nozzle temperature, and a nonprocess parameter, that is, weight percentage of alumina on ultimate tensile strength, ultimate flexural strength, and ultimate compression strength of polylactic acid (PLA)-alumina composite. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been implemented to construct the tests. The regression model demonstrated how various parameters and their interaction affected output responses. The surface plots for noticeable interactions have also been plotted. The outcome revealed that parameter control and optimization have vital impact on mechanical properties. The optimum value for maximum mechanical strengths has been obtained at layer height 0.1 mm, number of loops 4, nozzle temperature 195 C, and weight percentage of alumina as 1.5%. Later a case study has been performed with obtained optimized parameters with porous structures for biomedical applications and found that the properties such as surface finish, and dimensional accuracy were unaltered during the optimization process.
Purpose This paper aims to develop a computational approach to analyze the mechanical behavior, perfusion bioreactor test and degradation of the designed scaffolds. Five types of pore architecture scaffolds have been made using a computer-aided designed tool and fabricated through fused deposition modeling. Design/methodology/approach Compressive structural analysis has been performed using the finite element method to forecast the mechanical performance of the scaffolds. Also, the experimental study was done to validate the simulation outcomes. A computational fluid dynamic analysis was performed to ascertain the fluid pressure distribution, velocity profile, wall shear stress, strain rate and permeability of scaffolds. The interconnected pore architecture of the scaffolds plays a crucial role in enhancing the mechanical properties and fluid flow characteristics. Findings The scaffolds with continuous vertical support columns resulted in better strength because they provide better ways to transfer the load. The pore architecture of the scaffold plays a significant role in the path of fluid flow. Scaffolds with regular interconnected pore architecture showed better accessibility of the fluid. The degradation analysis showed that the degradation rate is dependent on the architecture of the scaffolds because of different surface area to volume ratios. Originality/value The simulation results provide a straightforward prediction of the scaffold suitability in terms of mechanical strength, perfusion and degradation behavior. Graphical abstract
The significance of 3D printing has risen exponentially in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Its potential in the field of fabricating drug delivery systems, by virtue of processing biocompatible polymers, has been very lucrative. This work aims to tap the interstitial drug delivery kinetics that are often inaccessible through machine‐specific infill patterns in additive manufactured tablets fabricated using PVA biopolymer as an excipient. In this regard, a myo‐inositol containing tablet has been printed using Fused Deposition Modeling preceded by Hot Melt Extrusion drug loading route. Two machine‐specific infill patterns were taken, namely straight and grid. Later, these two distinct patterns were juxtaposed to obtain novel hybrid infill patterns in the tablets. Then, these tablets and their filament were subjected to various thermal, mechanical, imaging and pharmaceutical characterization tests to assess the feasibility of the research attempt. Finally, dissolution tests were conducted to evaluate their dissolution behavior over a time period. The characterization tests proved the scientific viability of this attempt along with amorphous existence of drug in the polymeric filament. The dissolution results showed favorable drug release by achieving interstitial dissolution timings with surface area/volume (SA/V) ratio being found to be the principal factor.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to fabricate the scaffolds with different pore architectures using additive manufacturing and analyze its mechanical and biological properties for bone tissue engineering applications. Design/methodology/approach The polylactic acid (PLA)/composite filament were fabricated through single screw extrusion and scaffolds were printed with four different pore architectures, i.e. circle, square, triangle and parallelogram with fused deposition modelling. Afterwards, scaffolds were coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) using dip coating technique. Various physical and thermo-mechanical tests have been conducted to confirm the feasibility. Furthermore, the biological tests were conducted with MG63 fibroblast cell lines to investigate the biocompatibility of the developed scaffolds. Findings The scaffolds were successfully printed with different pore architectures. The pore size of the scaffolds was found to be nearly 1,500 µm, and porosity varied between 53% and 63%. The fabricated circular pore architecture resulted in highest average compression strength of 13.7 MPa and modulus of 525 MPa. The characterizations showed the fidelity of the work. After seven days of cell culture, it was observed that the developed composites were non-toxic and supported cellular activities. The coating of HA made the scaffolds bioactive, showing higher wettability, degradation and high cellular responses. Originality/value The research attempts highlight the development of novel biodegradable and biocompatible polymer (PLA)/bioactive ceramic (Al2O3) composite for additive manufacturing with application in the tissue engineering field.
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