4D printing of biocompatible, hierarchically porous shape memory polymeric structures

Conventional implants tend to have significant limitations, as they are one-size-fits-all, require monitoring, and have the potential for immune rejection. However, 4D Printing presents a method to manufacture highly personalized, shape-changing, minimally invasive biomedical implants. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) with a glass transition temperature (Tg) between room and body temperature (20-38 degrees C) are particularly desirable for this purpose, as they can be deformed to a temporary shape before implantation, then undergo a shape change within the body. Commonly used SMPs possess either an undesirable Tg or lack the biocompatibility or mechanical properties necessary to match soft biological tissues. In this work, Poly(glycerol dodecanoate) acrylate (PGDA) with engineered pores is introduced to solve these issues. Pores are induced by porogen leaching, where microparticles are mixed with the printing ink and then are dissolved in water after 3D printing, creating a hierarchically porous texture to improve biological activity. With this method, highly complex shapes were printed, including overhanging structures, tilted structures, and a "3DBenchy". The porous SMP has a Tg of 35.6 degrees C and a Young's Modulus between 0.31 and 1.22 MPa, comparable to soft tissues. A one-way shape memory effect (SME) with shape fixity and recovery ratios exceeding 98 % was also demonstrated. Cultured cells had a survival rate exceeding 90 %, demonstrating cytocompatibility. This novel method creates hierarchically porous shape memory scaffolds with an optimal Tg for reducing the invasiveness of implantation and allows for precise control over elastic modulus, porosity, structure, and transition temperature.