Technique paper for wet-spinning Poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) monofilament fibers

A simple and repeatable method is described for wet-spinning poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) monofilament fibers. These fibers are strong, elastic, and suitable for many applications, including use as tissue-engineering scaffolds. The PLLA wet-extruded fibers do not show additional strain-induced crystallization as a result of drawing the fibers during fabrication; however, there is an apparent increase in crystallinity late in the degradation process in saline at 37degreesC. We have measured the molecular weight degradation in saline at 37degreesC for fibers of both PLLA and PLGA. Changing solvent systems, polymer blends, and winding rates alters mechanical and morphological properties of these fibers for specific applications. The authors discuss a possible theoretical explanation for these observed changes due to changes in polymer concentration, solvent system, and coagulation bath properties. This wet-extrusion process is simple and inexpensive enough to be carried out in almost any laboratory interested in tissue engineering.