TissueDB/Materials/PLA
License: CC0-1.0 by Richardspa
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic made from plant-derived feedstocks such as corn starch and sugarcane. Its biodegradation requires specialised composting conditions; do not assume a printed PLA part is suitable for home or garden compost.[1] In medical simulation, PLA filament is used for rigid anatomical models, including 3D-printed bone models for fracture-fixation and drilling practice. Anatomical accuracy depends on the model, scale and printed result. Infill density can adjust rigidity, weight and drill resistance. PLA is available in multiple colours; use the colour specified by the simulator's build instructions. PLA can deform with heat. Follow the filament and printer manufacturers' handling, ventilation and operating guidance.
Tissues
| Tissue | Visual | Tactile | Simulator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone — fracture and deformity models | Pediatric Forearm Fracture Simulator, Humeral Fracture Fixation Simulator, Lower Limb Deformity Correction Simulator, Tibial Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator | PLA filament; print settings vary by simulator. Rigid 3D-printed bone substitute for fracture fixation and deformity correction training. | ||
| Bone — ribs | Chest Tube Simulator (Brannan) | PLA filament The Brannan rib framework is printed in ivory PLA and provides rigid landmarks for chest tube insertion in a multifunctional thorax model. See the simulator's build instructions for its reported printing requirements and costs. | ||
| Bone — infant tibia | Infant Intraosseous Infusion Simulator (Micallef) | Ecotough PLA filament (0% infill; Table 1 lists a 1.2 mm wall, while the Methods text gives 2.0 mm; unexplained source discrepancy)[2] Hollow 3D-printed infant proximal tibial bone fragments for intraosseous needle insertion training. Consumable — replaced after each use. | ||
| Trachea | Kei REAL CRIC Trainer | 3D-printed rigid tracheal scaffold providing anatomical form for cricothyrotomy incision site; does not simulate tracheal tissue compliance. | ||
| Skull | STA-MCA Bypass Trainer | Rigid 3D-printed cranial model providing the anatomical working corridor through which microsurgical extracranial-to-intracranial bypass is performed. | ||
| Bladder | Urinary Catheterization Simulator (Gillis) | PLA filament printed on Ultimaker 3 (20 per cent infill, 0.2 mm layer height) 3D-printed PLA bladder body and base houses the threaded insert and screw-in valve body of the one-way bladder valve; the acrylic front window seated with silicone caulking is non-PLA.[3] | ||
| Bone — replaceable proximal tibial cartridge | Adult Proximal Tibia Intraosseous Access Simulator (maxSIMIO) | PLA insert representing the proximal tibia for intraosseous-access practice. Both the straight-leg and bent-knee models include a replaceable tibial cartridge.[4] | ||
| Bone — tibia and fibula (version two) | Adult Proximal Tibia Intraosseous Access Simulator (maxSIMIO) | Printed PLA lower-leg bones in the second, bent-knee version. This component forms part of the modular assembly and is enclosed in cast silicone. | ||
| Bone — femur (version two) | Adult Proximal Tibia Intraosseous Access Simulator (maxSIMIO) | Printed PLA upper-leg bone in the second, bent-knee version. This component forms a separate section of the modular assembly and is enclosed in cast silicone. |
Working with PLA and STL files
An STL file describes a model's three-dimensional surface. A slicer prepares layers and printer instructions from that geometry and the chosen settings.[5]
For a build that specifies PLA, follow the PLA filament printing guide for download, setup, preview and printed-part checks, including the handoff to a printing service. If the required material or process is unclear, start with 3D printing guides.
The tibial fracture simulator uses two fragments: download Model 1 (STL) and download Model 2 (STL). Its material and settings are specific to these models, not a recipe for every PLA component.[6] Match the model revision, filament and settings to the simulator and actual printer; a successful print alone does not establish the required training properties.
Troubleshooting
- Soft tissue simulation — PLA is rigid and brittle and is not a general substitute for compliant soft tissue. Follow the material requirements in the relevant simulator's build instructions; do not automatically substitute silicone or gelatin.
- Procedures requiring biological feedback — cannot simulate bleeding, tissue perfusion, or temperature changes.
- Infill and print settings — infill and wall thickness are set per simulator, from hollow 0%-infill shells (e.g. the Micallef infant tibia) to denser fills for load-bearing drilling; too thin or sparse a print can crack under drilling, so match the print settings to the procedure.
Alternatives
| Alternative | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Bone | Named as a bone-drilling analog in the ETALO Bone Drilling Module, offered in varying sizes for a more human-like bone feel; untested comparison.[7] | Requires sourcing and cleaning; variable quality; single-use biological waste. |
| PVC | Standardised resistance, uniform properties | No anatomical accuracy, lacks cortical-cancellous transition |
| Bamboo | Named as a bone-drilling analog in the ETALO Bone Drilling Module and used as the Variant A bone analog in the Long Bone Drilling Simulator; low-cost and locally available; untested comparison. | Variable diameter and wall thickness; no anatomical shaping. |
References
- ↑ Prusa Research. PLA.
- ↑ Micallef J, Arutiunian A, Hiley J, Benson A, Dubrowski A. The Development of a Cost-Effective Infant Intraosseous Infusion Simulator for Neonatal Resuscitation Program Training. Cureus 2021;13(10):e18824. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18824. PMID: 34804681.
- ↑ Gillis CJ, Bishop N, Walsh G, Harvey D 2020, Cureus 12(5):e8377. DOI 10.7759/cureus.8377. PMID 32626621. PMC PMC7328704.
- ↑ Sivanathan M, Micallef J, Clarke KM, et al. The Development and Initial End-Point User Feedback of a 3D-Printed Adult Proximal Tibia IO Simulator. Cureus 2022;14(5):e25481. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25481. See the design-process text and Figures 1 and 2.
- ↑ UltiMaker. The UltiMaker Cura workflow explained.
- ↑ Medical Makers. Prepare 3D Print Files.
- ↑ ETALO Bone Drilling Module (Education To Advance Limb-saving Options), Global Surgical Training Challenge 2020. Its Simulator Layer Options list PVC/PPR pipe, bamboo and animal bone (cow, goat, pig, lamb) as interchangeable bone-drilling analogs; the overview describes progressing from locally-sourced options to 3-D-printed models, and the bamboo and PVC-pipe prototypes were field-tested in Mbale, Uganda. Appropedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
| Authors | Ian-laurel, Arturo Pelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturo Pelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/PLA". Appropedia. Retrieved November 13, 2026. |