Applications medical devices based on shape memory polymers SMPs

4 Applications medical devices based on shape memory polymers (SMPs) 

Smart polymers have been used in the design and construction of medical devices, with an emphasis on biosensors, bioactuators and microfluidics-based systems for enhanced diagnostics and therapy, other medical devices for cancer diagnosis and therapy, and for MIS. This section and those following review these applications. Applications of smart polymers for medical 

with recovery strains higher than 300% and recovery stresses between 1 and 10 MPa, are advantageous compared to other shape memory materials such as alloys, which exhibit recovery strains lower than 8% and recovery stresses approaching 1000 MPa (Small et a/., 2010). Moreover, SMPs can be shaped into elaborate geometries at a lower cost (Small et al., 2010). 

A similar approach for myringotomy tubes (tubes which are aimed to keep the eardrum open) has also been proposed, with a design including petal-like bulges which unfold on each side of the eardrum to hold the self-expandable tubes in position (Smela, 2003). 

SMPs have also been proposed for neuroprosthetic devices aimed at stimulating and recording nervous system function. Although this has proved to be useful using conventional materials for the alleviation of symptoms such 

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