Biodegradable Polylactic Acid (PLA) Microstructures for Scaffold Applications

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, cost-effective soft lithography method to create biodegradable PLA microstructures for tissue engineering scaffolds, enabling easy fabrication and transfer of microvessel structures.

Contribution

A novel soft lithographic process for fabricating biodegradable PLA scaffolds with microstructures for tissue engineering applications.

Findings

Successful transfer of microvessel scaffolds to PLA

Cost-effective and simple fabrication process

Microstructures can be easily peeled off from molds

Abstract

In this research, we present a simple and cost effective soft lithographic process to fabricate PLA scaffolds for tissue engineering. In which, the negative photoresist JSR THB-120N was spun on a glass subtract followed by conventional UV lithographic processes to fabricate the master to cast the PDMS elastomeric mold. A thin poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layer was used as a mode release such that the PLA scaffold can be easily peeled off. The PLA precursor solution was then cast onto the PDMS mold to form the PLA microstructures. After evaporating the solvent, the PLA microstructures can be easily peeled off from the PDMS mold. Experimental results show that the desired microvessels scaffold can be successfully transferred to the biodegradable polymer PLA.