Could someone help me understand this: since pla is a biocompatible, can you use a, let's say, hobbyist 3d printer print a medical implant with pla and then thoroughly sterilize it (using gamma irradiation/gas plasma), then can you put it into human body ?
I am wondering is there some chemicals that manufactures used during manufacturing PLA filaments that make it not biocompatible any more ? (can u use a PLA print as a cup to drink water ? )
There are a few things to keep in mind:
To place a printed or PLA object, the following points should be considered:
1- PLA can not be sterilized with gamma rays because its polymer network structure disintegrates and its properties change. Of course, it can be sterilized with gas. Even steam can not be sterilized due to its low melting temperature.
2- To place it in the body, you should measure the strength of the printed object. The angle of the layers and the type of layers on top of each other affect the strength and the strength of the object should be proportional to the part that is placed in the body.
3- Ordinary PLA can not be used because it contains toxic substances and medical grade should be used.
4- Production method (type of layers on top of each other) affects the mechanical properties of printed parts, so it is not easy to issue a license to use 3D printing parts on the body.
5- I do not prefer it for tea, but it can be used for water.
Thx, Abbas! Could you address the third and fifth points a bit more? Why would PLA contain toxic substances if it is made from renewable sources ? And if it is toxic, why could u drink it with water Abbas Moghanizadeh
There are two general conditions for medical use:
1- In-body condition: When the implant is placed inside the body, in this case, there are very strict standards and they do not allow it to be used inside the body easily. Because this substance is destroyed over time and enters the bloodstream and affects all cells.
2- Extracorporeal state: In this state, the implant is located outside the body and its components are not in contact with blood. And even if there is a toxic substance in them, it does not have much effect on the body.
You may drink water in an aluminum container, but can you put it in your body? Absolutely not. A substance can be used for in vitro equipment, but it can not be used for in vitro equipment
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