Applications of PLA in modern medicine
Vincent DeStefano, Salaar Khan, Alonzo Tabada
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a versatile biopolymer. PLA is synthesized with ease from abundant renewable resources and is biodegradable. PLA has shown promise as a biomaterial in a plethora of healthcare applications such as tissue engineering or regenerative medicine, cardiovascular implants, dental niches, drug carriers, orthopedic interventions, cancer therapy, skin and tendon healing, and lastly medical tools / equipment. PLA has demonstrated instrumental importance as a three-dimensionally (3D) printable biopolymer, which has further been bolstered by its role during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (Covid-19) global pandemic. As an abundant filament, PLA has created desperately needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilator modifications. As polymer chemistry continues to advance, so too will the applications and continued efficacy of PLA-based modalities.