Material Analysis of Filament for 3D Printing of Poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) for Implant to Track Breast Tissue Tumor Cavity After Lumpectomy
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Date
2024-12
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
After removing a tumor in a lumpectomy surgery, breast cancer patients undergo additional radiation therapy to kill any stray cancer cells and prevent the cancer from resurfacing. This additional radiation is highly targeted to avoid damaging nearby tissue. Once the tumor is removed, however, there are currently no products to adequately map the resulting cavity that requires additional radiation. Without a properly marked tumor cavity, radiation oncologists risk ineffectively removing all stray cancer cells. We aim to develop a device to track the cavity region in a 3D space on CT scanning to aid in radiation treatment planning. This will be done through the creation of a 3D printed biodegradable and eventually fully radiopaque implantable mesh. This research evaluated the material properties (Young’s Modulus, Yield Strength, and Bending Modulus) of the mesh material. A mesh was developed using a 3D printable Poly(l-lactide-co-ε- caprolactone) (PLCL) filament from an external vendor. Research will continue with an internally developed filament using powder-based raw materials. These research methods will be applied to the internally developed filament once created. As of now, only the externally sourced filament has been analyzed. Young’s Modulus (in tension) and Yield Strength were found by performing a tensile test on an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Bending Modulus was found using a 3-point bend test on a Mark-10 Bend Machine. These results showed that the tensile strength was roughly 20.929 MPa, the Yield Strength was 17.361 MPa, and the Bending Modulus was 369.620 MPa. These material properties are not well studied within breast tissue and thus cannot compare the PLCL-based device to the natural tissue it will be implanted within. Exploring this gap in literature paves the way as a comparison point for future devices. These measurements also serve as a benchmark to quantify the effects of adding a radiopaque agent to the implantable device. A fully radiopaque and biodegradable implant can improve on the shortcomings of current tumor marking practices.
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Keywords
PLCL Implant, 3D Printing, Breast Cancer, Post Lumpectomy Radiation Therapy