Stereocomplex Polylactide for Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications: A Review.

Polylactide (PLA) is among the most common biodegradable polymers, with applications in various fields, such as renewable and biomedical industries. PLA features poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) enantiomers, which form stereocomplex crystals through racemic blending. PLA emerged as a promising material owing to its sustainable, eco-friendly, and fully biodegradable properties.

Biodegradable vascular stents with high tensile and compressive strength: a novel strategy for applying monofilaments via solid-state drawing and shaped-annealing processes.

Monofilaments such as those consisting of polyamide (PA), polydioxanone (PDS), and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), have been commonly used in various industries. However, most are non-biodegradable, which is unfavorable for many biomedical applications. Although biodegradable polymers offer significant benefits, they are still limited by their weak mechanical properties, which is an obstacle for use as a biomaterial that requires high strength.

Poly(L-lactic acid) scaffold with oriented micro-valley surface and superior properties fabricated by solid-state drawing for blood-contact biomaterials.

Most biomaterials composed of biodegradable polymers will contact either accidentally or consistently with blood and this commonly requires both good  mechanical strength and blood compatibility. Despite this demand, current processing methods still make it difficult and complex to simultaneously improve the two properties. To overcome present limitations, the aim of this work is to develop a solid-state drawing which is a novel method for blood-contact biomaterials that can simultaneously improve the two essential factors of mechanical strength and blood compatibility, as well as induce a micro-patterned surface.