Synthesis, Characterization, and 3D Printing of Isosorbide-Based, Light-Curable, Degradable Polymer

Nazanin Owji, Alaa Aldaadaa, Jae-Ryung Cha, Taleen Shakouri, Elena García-Gareta, Hae-Won Kim and Jonathan C. Knowles

ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 

Trauma, congenital defects and cancer are the major causes of bone loss in the human body. The current techniques used in reconstruction of maxillofacial defects are associated with major drawbacks such as graft failure, risk of infection and donor site morbidity. Such unfortunate events have raised the demand for a suitable material to restore bone defects in the oral and craniofacial region.

Light-curable, methacrylate-based polymers have ideal properties for bone repair. These materials are also suitable for 3D printing which can be applicable for restoration of both function and aesthetics. The main objective of this research was to synthesize a mechanically stable and biologically functional polymer for reconstruction of complex craniofacial defects. Both CSMA-1 and CSMA-2 were synthesized using bis (2-hydroxyethyl) isosorbide (BHIS) as a starting material. 

In this study, we successfully synthesized a degradable, low-toxicity, and mechanically strong material that can easily be adapted to fit specific clinical needs such as flexibility and stiffness by controlling the fabrication process. This light- curable polymer is targeted at reconstruction of maxillofacial defects, which also has the potential to be used in 3D printing. 

Future work will be focused on the evaluation of polymer kinetics to provide a better insight into modification of the composite degradation, remineralization properties, incorporation of growth factors in order to enable further optimization of the selected optimum composites and finally in depth in vitro and in vivo investigation of this novel system.

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This project is funded by Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT) and the National Research Foundation of Korea.