| TECHNOLOGY |
When heated, SHAPE-MEMORY POLYMERS transform from a temporary initial shape into a often drastically different permanent shape. This shape- shifting ability has many potential applications in MEDICINE if biocompa tible or biodegradable materials can be developed. Now, authors report the first BIODEGRADABLE, thermoplastic shape- memory polymers & show that they can be processed from melt or soln. The linear multiblock copolymers [Poly(Urethane)] are prepd by coupling: Oligo(Epsilon-Caprolactone)Diol + Oligo(p-Dioxanone)Diol with Alkyl DiIsocyanate The polymer can be deformed up to 400% between the temporary & permanent shapes |
| UPDATE | 04.02 |
| USES | As a example application, the polymer was extruded into a FILAMENT that was elongated & used to loosely SUTURE a INCISION on a rat. Upon heating, the suture contracted to its permanent shape to snugly close the incision. The polymers could someday be used to make medical devices that are IMPLANTED LAPAROSCOPICALLY & then thermally expanded into a permanent shape. |
| AUTHOR | This data is not available for free |
| LITERATURE REF. | This data is not available for free |
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