An explorative study of polymers for 3D printing of bioanalytical test systems

• Published in: Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 57 - 84
• Main Authors: Jurischka, Christoph, Dinter, Franziska, Efimova, Anastasia, Weiss, Romano, Schiebel, Juliane, Schulz, Christian, Fayziev, Bekzodjon, Schierack, Peter, Fischer, Thomas, Rödiger, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2020
• Subjects: pharmaceutical; PLA; thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; autofluorescence; medicine; PETG; polyethylene terephthalate glycol; polylactic acid; ABS; cell adhesion; TPU; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene; 3D printing
• ISSN: 1386-0291; 1875-8622
• DOI: 10.3233/CH-190713

BACKGROUND: The 3D printing is relevant as a manufacturing technology of functional models for forensic, pharmaceutical and bioanalytical applications such as drug delivery systems, sample preparation and point-of-care tests. OBJECTIVE: Melting behavior and autofluorescence of materials are decisive for optimal printing and applicability of the product which are influenced by varying unknown additives. METHODS: We have produced devices for bioanalytical applications from commercially available thermoplastic polymers using a melt-layer process. We characterized them by differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and functional assays (DNA capture assay, model for cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation test). RESULTS: From 14 tested colored, transparent and black materials we found only deep black acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and some black polylactic acid (PLA) useable for fluorescence-based assays, with low autofluorescence only in the short-wave range of 300–400 nm. PLA was suitable for standard bioanalytical purposes due to a glass transition temperature of approximately 60°C, resistance to common laboratory chemicals and easy print processing. For temperature-critical methods, such as hybridization reactions up to 90°C, ABS was better suited. CONCLUSIONS: Autofluorescence was not a disadvantage per se but can also be used as a reference signal in assays. The rapid development of individual protocols for sample processing and analysis required the availability of a material with consistent quality over time. For fluorescence-based assays, the use of commercial standard materials did not seem to meet this requirement.