Issue 17, 2010

Biomedical applications of thermally activated shape memorypolymers

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that can remember a primary shape and can return to this primary shape from a deformed secondary shape when given an appropriate stimulus. This property allows them to be delivered in a compact form via minimally invasive surgeries in humans, and deployed to achieve complex final shapes. Here we review the various biomedical applications of SMPs and the challenges they face with respect to actuation and biocompatibility. While shape memory behavior has been demonstrated with heat, light and chemical environment, here we focus our discussion on thermally stimulated SMPs.

Graphical abstract: Biomedical applications of thermally activated shape memory polymers

Article information

Article type
Application
Submitted
11 Nov 2009
Accepted
12 Feb 2010
First published
02 Mar 2010

J. Mater. Chem., 2010,20, 3356-3366

Biomedical applications of thermally activated shape memory polymers

W. Small, IV, P. Singhal, T. S. Wilson and D. J. Maitland, J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 3356 DOI: 10.1039/B923717H

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