Shape-memory materials scaffolds

In this chapter, we focus on recent efforts to design and fabricate soft shape-memory materials, including both polymeric and supramolecular systems. We first classify these materials based on their micro- and nanostructure (Section 5.2.2). We then highlight how soft shape-memory materials have been applied to biomedical applications as implantables (Section 5.2.3.1), drug delivery devices (Section 5.2.3.2), and tissue engineering scaffolds (Section 5.2.3.3). In addition, we briefly discuss future trends for utilizing soft shape-memory materials for biomedical applications (Section 5.2.4). 

Rychter, P., Pamula, E., Orchel, A., Posadowska, U., Krok-Borkowicz, M., Kaps, A., Smigiel-Gac, N., Smola, A., Kasperczyk, J., Prochwicz, W., Dobrzynski, P., 2015. Scaffolds with shape memory behavior for the treatment of large bone defects. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A 103, 3503—3515. 

The shape memory behavior of an SMP makes it a very desirable material for use in biomedical applications. Thermally activated SMPs can be programmed and stored in a small secondary shape, and on introduction to the body and water plasticization, recover their large original shape (Beilvert et al., 2014). This property of SMPs can be harnessed for minimally invasive surgery and tissue engineering scaffolds (Beilvert et al., 2014). However, ceU compatibility of an SMP biomaterial needs to be extensively understood to determine its feasibility as a short-term or long-term implant and the impact of its SME on cells. 

Finally, the efficacy of bulk- and surface-modification approaches on 3D scaffolds of commonly used biopolymers remains a fruitful area of research. Therefore, the modification approaches discussed in this review should be transformed to CS nanoparticles and 3D microporous scaffolds. The development of CS nanohybrids is another emerging area that relies on nanoparticles of different sizes, shapes, and materials used to tune CS properties. Nanoparticles can be used to improve CS properties. Since CS is an implantable biomaterial, better control over CS shape memory properties is important for the development of minimally invasive surgeries. 

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