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PLA is inherently biocompatible because it can be broken down by natural processes into lactic acid (by hydrolysis of the ester bonds), and then further into products that leave the body with urine. In fact, PLA has been applied for medical uses since the 1970s and is (I think) the single most widely used biopolymer in the medical industry. So for short-term contact, I’d expect that it is perfectly fine. If you are looking to use standard grades, just be sure that it is essentially pure PLA, to be confident of the biocompatibility. You need to be careful with PLA filament for 3D printing, as it is more likely to contain additives to improve the behavior during printing, and the properties of the completed print. These additives can include calcium carbonate, acrylics, and fillers, which may not be biocompatible.

[Arabella]

Looking for advice. I’m looking at PLA for single-use medical prototypes because of its biodegradable properties, but I’m not sure about its suitability for biocompatibility in short-term contact with human skin or fluids. Any experience or insights into whether standard PLA grades can meet biocompatibility requirements, or would I need to source medical-grade PLA for this application?

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[Vincent D]

PLA is inherently biocompatible because it can be broken down by natural processes into lactic acid (by hydrolysis of the ester bonds), and then further into products that leave the body with urine. In fact, PLA has been applied for medical uses since the 1970s and is (I think) the single most widely used biopolymer in the medical industry. So for short-term contact, I’d expect that it is perfectly fine.

If you are looking to use standard grades, just be sure that it is essentially pure PLA, to be confident of the biocompatibility. You need to be careful with PLA filament for 3D printing, as it is more likely to contain additives to improve the behavior during printing, and the properties of the completed print. These additives can include calcium carbonate, acrylics, and fillers, which may not be biocompatible.

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