Abstract
The ability to treat complex medical issues often requires dynamic and versatile materials. Electrospinning is a fabrication technique which produces nano-/microfibers that can mimic the extracellular matrix of many biological tissues while shape memory polymers allow for geometric changes in devices upon implantation. Here, we present the fabrication of electrospun polyurethane which exhibits the shape memory effect. To improve the mechanical and shape memory properties of this system, we incorporate vinyl side chains in the polymer backbone which enable crosslinking via thiol-ene click chemistry post fabrication. We also discuss a novel technique to improve photoinitiated crosslinking for electrospun materials. A material with these properties is potentially beneficial for various medical applications, such as vascular anastomosis, and the characterization of this material will be valuable in directing those applications.
Highlights
Fletcher, G.; Gruenbaum, R.; Many medical procedures today require biomaterials that are adaptive in order to treat complex conditions
We have thoroughly investigated the properties of an electrospun shape memory polyurethane with pendent vinyl groups which enable thiol-ene crosslinking post fabrication
In this work we utilize a catalyzed free-radical addition thiol-ene click reaction to crosslink the samples. This requires that our photoinitiator (DMPA), polythiol (PETMP) and alkene (TMPAE component of polymer backbone) all be in appropriate proximity for the thiol-ene reaction to occur
Summary
G.; Gruenbaum, R.; Many medical procedures today require biomaterials that are adaptive in order to treat complex conditions. Advances have been made in the areas of minimally invasive devices [1,2,3], stimuli responsive devices [4,5,6], and fabrication techniques [7,8,9]. The aim of this project is to combine the versatility of shape memory polymers (SMPs) with the benefits of electrospun fiber morphology. SMP foams have recently received Food and Drug Association approval as minimally invasive occlusion devices (IMPEDE Embolization Plug, Shape Memory Medical, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA). Presented in this study is the fabrication and characterization of a crosslinkable, electrospun SMP with good mechanical and shape memory properties
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