Dec 7 2023 . 4 min
In the dynamic landscape of maxillofacial reconstruction, bone tissue engineering has marked a transformative era. Despite these strides, addressing larger-sized defects remains an intricate challenge. A beacon of promise lies in light-curable methacrylate-based polymers, renowned for their optimal bone repair properties. The added advantage of 3D printing capabilities makes these materials a potential game-changer, bridging the realms of function and aesthetics in restorative procedures. This research aims at pioneering a mechanically stable and biologically functional polymer tailored for the intricate task of reconstructing complex craniofacial defects.
The experimental journey embarked with the synthesis of two key monomers, CSMA-1 and CSMA-2, designed to be the building blocks of our innovative polymer. The first, (((3R,3aR,6S,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-3,6-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(ethane-2,1-diyl)bis((4-methyl-3-oxopent-4-en-1-yl)carbamate), and the second, ((((((((((((3R,3aR,6S,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-3,6-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(ethane-2,1 diyl))bis(oxy))bis(carbonyl))bis(azanediyl))bis(methylene))bis
(3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane-5,1-diyl))bis(azanediyl))bis(carbonyl))bis(oxy))bis(ethane-2,1-diyl)bis(2-methylacrylate). Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis served as the sentinel, confirming the successful formation of these crucial monomers.
Taking the synthesized monomers a step further, composite samples were meticulously fabricated by subjecting 11 mm diameter discs to the transformative power of blue light. The modulus of elasticity, gauged through a biaxial flexural test, revealed impressive values ranging between 1 and 3 GPa for CSMA-1, CSMA-2, and their respective composites. Venturing into biological terrain, in vitro cell culture experiments employing human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells corroborated the non-toxic nature of our polymer samples. The final frontier of this revolutionary research unfolded with 3D printing, where direct photo-polymerization seamlessly transformed our bio ink into a tangible, mechanically resilient 3D construct—ushering in a new era in maxillofacial reconstruction technology.
Dec 7 2023 . 4 min
