Figure 4.

In Vitro Degradation of Devices. a) A plot of mass remaining and water uptake by mass (hydration) demonstrates that devices fabricated on PLGA substrates were initially resistant to mass degradation and water uptake. However, after 30 days, significant mass loss and water uptake was initiated. Near total mass loss and 100% device hydration was observed at 70 days. b) Photographs from representative devices at various stages of the degradation time line suggest that device integrity was intact up until 40 days with near total device resorption at 70 days. Devices also transitioned from being initially optically transparent (0 days) to opaque within 10 day. Scale bar represents 5 mm for all panels.