Advanced Design Concepts for Shape-Memory Polymers in Biomedical Applications and Soft Robotics.

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials with shape recovery capabilities triggered by external stimuli like heat or light.
• SMPs offer large recoverable strains, tunable properties, and are processable via additive manufacturing, making them suitable for biomedical devices and soft robotics.
• Their biocompatibility and potential bioresorbability further enhance their appeal for medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in the fundamentals, classification, activation mechanisms, and fabrication of SMPs.
• To focus on design principles influencing SMP performance for specific applications.
• To critically evaluate manufacturing techniques and discuss biodegradable SMPs for biomedical uses.

Main Methods:

• Summarized recent progress in SMP research, covering both thermally and non-thermally activated systems.
• Discussed methods for controlling activation temperatures (plasticisation, copolymerisation, cross-linking density modulation).
• Evaluated manufacturing techniques and highlighted biodegradable SMPs in devices like haemostatic foams and bone scaffolds.

Main Results:

• SMPs show promise for biomedical devices and soft robotics due to their unique properties and processability.
• Functional nanofillers can enhance SMP thermal/electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.
• Biodegradable SMPs demonstrate potential in applications such as haemostatic foams, embolic implants, and bone scaffolds.

Conclusions:

• SMPs offer significant potential in biomedical and robotics fields, driven by their smart properties and manufacturing versatility.
• Challenges such as non-uniform activation, balancing mechanical strength with shape recovery, and standardization need to be addressed for widespread application.
• Overcoming these challenges is crucial for translating SMP research into clinical and industrial use.