3D Printable Biopolymers as Pelvic Floor Scaffolds

Abstract

Pelvic floor disorders (PFD) are common among women, causing dysfunction, incontinence, and discomfort. Surgeries to repair the descended tissues can result in complications due to implant material design, particularly from the hardness and mechanical mismatch to native tissue. A more flexible implant could reduce complications, such as exposure and tissue erosion. This work seeks to characterize a 3D-printed double-crosslinked hydrogel tissue scaffold consisting primarily of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). It also compares its static/dynamic/thermal/biological properties to existing commercial products used in PFD therapies, showing our pelvic mesh’s biodegradability/robustness advantages over the commercial ones. Tensile tests revealed that the hydrogel scaffold was more compliant than the commercial alternatives. Dynamic mechanical testing has shown that these polymers are durable enough to support organs with specific weight above the pelvic floor. In vivo mouse studies demonstrated low inflammation and good biocompatibility over a 28-day period. The development of this scaffold offers a promising alternative for more effective, long-lasting PFD treatments with fewer post-operative complications, advancing personalized medicine.