3D printing of multi-functional artificial conduits against acute thrombosis and clinical infection

Abstract

Post-surgical infections and acute thrombosis are two common clinical complications of implantable devices. Here, we designed series of artificial conduits, using 3D printing, composed of biodegradable polylactic acid and ciprofloxacin/heparin-loaded zein microspheres to overcome postoperative infection and acute thrombosis. Overall, the 3D printing technique accomplished the personalized customization and precise printing of subtle structure with 400 μm resolution in the x, y and z axes. FTIR, XPS, contact angle analysis and microscope techniques demonstrated that the multi-functional coating was uniform and composed of microspheres. The thickness and drug loading efficiency could be adjusted by changing process parameters. The multi-functional artificial conduits kept good mechanical properties with sustained release of loaded drugs in different rate kinetics. Cell experiments and hematology experiments showed that the multi-functional artificial conduits had good cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility and anticoagulant activity. The in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the loading of ciprofloxacin and heparin with the aid of zein microspheres could endow the artificial conduits with dual functions of preventing acute thrombosis and protecting the implantation site against infection. These data supplied an alternative strategy for 3D printing of multi-functional conduits against postoperative infection and acute thrombosis.