2 - Preparation of shape memory polymers

Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed description of the structure of Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) with an emphasis on the mechanism of the shape memory effect and the unique molecular structure behind it. It also describes the thermal-mechanical properties of SMPs, reviews key issues in the preparation of SMPs and their preparation for use in the medical field. Because of their unique performance, shape memory materials are, at the moment, on the verge of commercialization for medical applications, such as catheters, bone casts, prosthetics, self-dilating introducers, and stents. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in shape memory thermoplastic polymers because it is easier to adjust their transition temperature and because of their superior maximum deformation. The range of temperatures for shape transition covers the human body temperature range. These attributes, together with their proven biocompatibility, competitive price, and the ease with which they can be synthesized, make SMPs exploitable for medical applications.