Simulation Study on the Formation of PLGA Micro-Structure Using Hot-Pressing Method

Abstract

A novel controlled drug delivery system was proposed, which contains a micro-structure for drug loading fabricated by using Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) via the hot-pressing method. The integrity of the PLGA micro-structure is the basis of the drug release control, but the visco-elastic property of PLGA causes the incomplete formation in the hot-pressing process. To obtain the improved hot-pressing parameters, the hot-pressing model of PLGA materials was established by using a 5-unit generalized Maxwell model. The influence of different hot-pressing parameters on the forming quality was studied. Simulation results show that the PLGA micro-structure was completely formed at the temperature of 75 °C, 1 mm base thickness, 30 N pressure, and 150 s maintenance time. The simulation results were validated by the hot-pressing fabrication. This study could lead theoretical basis for the preparation of visco-elastic polymer micro-structure by using the hot-pressing method and lay a foundation for the further optimization of hot-pressing process parameters.