Melt Electrospinning Writing of Mesh Implants for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair

Miguel Nuno Barbosa da Cunha; Rita Rynkevic; Maria Elisabete Teixeira da Silva; André Filipe Moreira da Silva Brandão; Jorge Lino Alves; António Augusto Fernandes

doi:10.1089/3dp.2021.0010

Melt Electrospinning Writing of Mesh Implants for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair

3D Print Addit Manuf. 2022 Oct 1;9(5):389-398. doi: 10.1089/3dp.2021.0010. Epub 2022 Oct 10.

Authors

Miguel Nuno Barbosa da Cunha¹, Rita Rynkevic², Maria Elisabete Teixeira da Silva², André Filipe Moreira da Silva Brandão¹, Jorge Lino Alves², António Augusto Fernandes²

Affiliations

¹ Mechanical Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
² Mechanical Department, LAETA, INEGI, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Abstract

Over the past decade, melt electrospinning writing has attracted renewed attention. When combined with three-dimensional (3D) printing capabilities, complex 3D structures can be produced, from ultrafine fibers in the absence of toxic solvents, making it particularly attractive to fabricate customized scaffolds and implants for medical applications. This research aimed to develop novel less stiff vaginal mesh implants for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair, matching the physiological biomechanics of vaginal tissues. The main objectives, to attain that goal, were: development of a melt electrospinning writing prototype, with additive manufacturing capability, to produce complex structures from micrometer scale fibers, in a direct 3D printing mode; and design and validate new concepts of biodegradable meshes/scaffolds with new geometries, for POP repair. The melt electrospinning writing prototype was built based on different modules. Biodegradable polycaprolactone was used to produce novel implants: three geometries and two fiber configurations were employed. The commercially available Restorelle^® (Coloplast) mesh was used as a benchmark. Printed implants were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and uniaxial tensile testing. The SEM images showed that the geometry is generally well produced; however, some minor deviations are visible due to charge interactions. The tensile test results indicated that, regardless of the geometry, the samples showed an elastic behavior for smaller displacements; aplastic behavior dominates later stages. In the physiological range of deformation, the novel meshes (80 μm fiber diameter) matched the tissue properties (p > 0.05). The Restorelle mesh was significantly stiffer than vaginal tissue (p < 0.05) and novel meshes. The precision of the various geometrical patterns and fiber diameters produced highlights the success of the designed and built prototype equipment. Results showed that the biodegradable meshes produced are biomechanically more compatible with native tissue than commercial implants.

Keywords: FFF; PCL; biodegradable meshes; melt electrospinning writing prototype; pelvic organ prolapse.