Shape Memory Polymer Foams with Tunable Degradation Profiles

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield and results in ∼1.5 million deaths each year. The primary current treatment options are gauze and/or tourniquets, which are ineffective for up to 80% of wounds. Additionally, most hemostatic materials must be removed from the patient within <12 h, which limits their applicability in remote scenarios and can cause additional bleeding upon removal. Here, degradable shape memory polymer (SMP) foams were synthesized to overcome these limitations. SMP foams were modified with oxidatively labile ether groups and hydrolytically labile ester groups to degrade after implantation. Foam physical, thermal, and shape memory properties were assessed along with cytocompatibility and blood interactions. Degradation profiles were obtained in vitro in oxidative and hydrolytic media (3% H₂O₂ (oxidation) and 0.1 M NaOH (hydrolysis) at 37 °C). The resulting foams had tunable, clinically relevant degradation rates, with complete mass loss within 30-60 days. These SMP foams have potential to provide an easy-to-use, shape-filling hemostatic dressing that can be left in place during traumatic wound healing with future potential use in regenerative medicine applications.