Thermoplastic polycaprolactone elastomer for a 3D-printed pericardial scaffold in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract

A novel thermoplastic polycaprolactone-based elastomer (TPE) has been developed for a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printed pericardial scaffold aimed at the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The TPE polymer was synthesized from polycaprolactone (PCL) diol, hexamethylene diisocyanate, Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, and 1,4-butanediol, then purified via rotary evaporation and vacuum drying. Biocompatibility was verified using a cell counting kit (CCK-8) with NIH/3T3 cells. Tensile mechanical properties were quantified, and the TPE was reliable for more than 104 cycles, and up to 107 cycles in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) heated to 37 °C. Its lack of chemical crosslinking allows it to remain a thermoplastic, able to be melted and extruded for 3D printing at or above 120 °C using compressed nitrogen gas. Cardiac MRI scans of Sprague Dawley rats were converted to a 3D solid model, and a pericardial scaffold was designed and 3D printed for in vitro testing as a precursor to preclinical trials.