Ryan Akman

BME PhD Defense Presentation

Date: 2022-08-16
Time: 2 PM
Location / Meeting Link: EBB CHOA Seminar Room/ Microsoft Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjkyMzllYTMtODZiMC00Yzc2LWJkMDQtZTg3ODAxOWYzNmNi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22482198bb-ae7b-4b25-8b7a-6d7f32faa083%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%225f891e1c-6a03-4eae-8ecc-e494806a2d78%22%7d

Committee Members:
Dr. Scott Hollister (Advisor); Dr. Bob Guldberg (University of Oregon); Dr. M.G. Finn; Dr. David Safranski; Dr. Vahid Serpooshan; Dr. Rudy Gleason


Title: 3D Printed Biodegradable and Shape Memory Polymer Poly(glycerol dodecanedioate) (PGD) for Soft Tissue Reconstruction

Abstract:
In the tissue engineering field there remains a gap with regards to the development of biomaterials capable of treating soft tissue pathologies that can be deployed via minimally invasive techniques, while modeling the target soft tissue’s mechanical properties. Despite this gap in the field, minimally invasive surgical procedures are increasing in frequency across multiple fields of medicine due to lower operational costs, shorter length of stay in the hospital, less adverse events and in turn lower reimbursement costs. To fully address these concerns devices need to be produced that model the complex mechanics of soft tissue. Using synthetic polymers is advantageous as they can be rationally designed for the treatment of a range of target tissues via alterations in their underlying chemistry to impart the mechanical properties desired for specific applications. The chemistry of synthetic polymers can be readily tuned for 3D printing, which provides the ability to manufacture patient-specific devices replicating complex geometries that cannot be produced through traditional manufacturing methods. In addition this biomaterial must be biocompatible, biodegradable, and should be cell adhesive to promote tissue infiltration into the implant in order to improve healing outcomes for the damaged region being targeted for treatment. Finally, materials used in minimally invasive procedures require shape memory attributes in order to initially fit in a delivery device and, ultimately upon implantation, expand to address the tissue pathology. PGD, a biodegradable shape memory polymer developed by our lab, is well positioned for this application. This thesis demonstrates the successful realization of this work via 1. the development and characterization of photocurable PGD via acrylation chemistry, 2. 3D printing and characterization of acrylated PGD (APGD) using extrusion and DLP print modalities, and 3. the characterization of in vitro and in vivo 3D printed APGD degradation and the demonstration of APGD in vivo biocompatibility.