3D printing of polylactic-co-glycolic acid fiber scaffolds using an antisolvent phase separation process

We present the results of experimental studies into the computer-controlled fabrication of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds under conditions of diffusion and antisolvent phase separation of PLGA/tetraglycol (TG) solutions in aqueous media. The effect of the initial concentrations of the polymer solutions and the 3D printing process parameters on the type of the fiber structures formed was studied. The resultant scaffolds were found to be produced in the form of either fractal-like or spongy polymeric microstructures. The specific type of the structures formed was shown to depend on the intensity of the diffusion processes in the ternary system PLGA-TG-antisolvent. This approach can be used for highly efficient 3D printing of both microporous and hollow fiber biocompatible scaffolds of various architectonics.