3D printed PLGA implants: How the filling density affects drug release

Investigating How All-Trans Retinoic Acid Polycaprolactone (atRA-PCL) Microparticles Alter the Material Properties of 3D Printed Fibrin Constructs

The 3D printing of human tissue constructs requires carefully designed bioinks to support the growth and function of cells. Here it is shown that an additional parameter is how drug-releasing microparticles affect the material properties of the scaffold. A microfluidic platform is used to create all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticles with a high encapsulation efficiency (85.9 ± 5.0%), and incorporate them into fibrin constructs to investigate their effect on the material properties. An encapsulation that is around 25-35% higher than the current state of the art batch methods is achieved. It is also found that the drug loading concentration affects the microparticle size, which can be controlled using the microfluidic platform. It is shown that the release of atRA is slower in fibrin constructs than in buffer, and that the presence of atRA in the microparticles modulates both the degradation and the rheological properties of the constructs. Finally, it is shown that the fibrin material exhibits a stronger solid-like state in the presence of atRA-PCL microparticles. These findings establish a basis for understanding the interplay between drug-releasing microparticles and scaffold materials, paving the way for bioinks that achieve tailored degradation and mechanical properties, together with sustained drug delivery for tissue engineering applications.

PLGA Implants for Controlled Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine: Advances, Challenges, and Clinical Potential

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) implants have become a cornerstone in drug delivery and regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility, tunable degradation, and capacity for sustained, localized therapeutic release. Recent innovations in polymer design, fabrication methods, and functional modifications have expanded their utility across diverse clinical domains, including oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of PLGA implant properties, fabrication strategies, and biomedical applications, while addressing key challenges such as burst release, incomplete drug release, manufacturing complexity, and inflammatory responses. Emerging solutions-such as 3D printing, in situ forming systems, predictive modeling, and patient-specific customization-are improving implant performance and clinical translation. Emphasis is placed on scalable production, long-term biocompatibility, and personalized design to support the next generation of precision therapeutics.

Medical applications and prospects of polylactic acid materials

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and bio-based polymer that has gained significant attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. In clinical treatment, biocompatible and non-toxic PLA materials enhance safety and reduce tissue reactions, while the biodegradability allows it to breakdown over time naturally, avoiding a second surgery. With the emergence of nanotechnology and three-dimensional (3D) printing, medical utilized-PLA has been produced with more structural and biological properties at both micro and macro scales for clinical therapy. This review summarizes current applications of the PLA-based biomaterials in drug delivery systems, orthopedic treatment, tissue regenerative engineering, and surgery and medical devices, providing viewpoints regarding the prospective medical utilization.