Femtosecond laser processing of biodegradable polymers

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have attracted increasing attention in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems owing to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability. Among the various methods for shape forming and modification of biodegradable polymers, laser processing has advantages in a dry processing approach that can process complex-shaped surfaces without using toxic chemical components. This review provides an overview of femtosecond laser processing of biodegradable polymers, especially in the last decade. The interaction mechanism of femtosecond laser pulse and biodegradable polymers, e.g., bond dissociation after laser irradiation, affects the degradable property of biodegradable polymers, which has the potential to control the degradation and sustainability of a structure. Applied studies on controlling cell behavior, tissue scaffolding, and drug release are also described.