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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Shape Memory Polymers for Active Cell Culture

Shape Memory Polymers for Active Cell Culture

Published on: July 4, 2011

Body-responsive shape-memory polymers for biomedical applications.

Ebrahim Tajik¹, Nima Reihani², Vahid Karamzadeh³

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA.

Bioactive Materials

|February 9, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Body-responsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) offer smart solutions for tissue repair and medical devices. This review details their design, body-responsive mechanisms, and applications in healthcare.

Keywords:

Minimally invasive procedures Physiological stimuli Shape memory polymers Smart materials Tissue engineering

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Shape Memory Polymers for Active Cell Culture

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Published on: July 4, 2011

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

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Published on: October 23, 2015

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 28, 2015

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are advanced materials with tunable properties.
Their ability to change shape in response to stimuli makes them ideal for biomedical applications.
Physiological conditions offer unique opportunities for activating SMPs.

Purpose of the Study:

To review body-responsive SMPs activated by physiological stimuli.
To analyze temperature-responsive, water-responsive, and dual-responsive SMP variants.
To highlight current and future biomedical applications of these smart polymers.

Main Methods:

Categorization of SMPs based on response to physiological stimuli (temperature, water).
Analysis of structure-property relationships governing body-responsiveness.
Review of current fabrication technologies and biomedical applications.

Main Results:

Body-responsive SMPs can be designed using physiological cues like temperature and bodily fluids.
Key applications include tissue engineering, vascular interventions, bioelectronics, and drug delivery.
Emerging fabrication technologies support scalable production.

Conclusions:

Body-responsive SMPs hold significant promise for innovative biomedical devices and therapies.
Further research into design and performance is crucial for clinical translation.
A roadmap for advancing SMPs in healthcare settings is presented.