Thermoresponsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) are stimuli-sensitive materials that can be temporarily fixed in a deformed shape and subsequently switch back to original shape when exposed to heat. In the biomedical field, SMP foams have been proposed as embolic sponges for aneurism occlusion and scaffolds for treating bone defects. We have recently reported hybrid SMPs comprised of organic �switching segments� [poly(e-caprolactone), PCL] and inorganic �soft segments� [polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS] with the general formula AcO-PCLn-block-PDMSm-block-PCLn-AcO. Herein, porous SMP foams were prepared via a modified solvent-casting/particle leaching method (SCPL) which included photochemically crosslinking the dichloromethane-based macromer solution over a water-fused salt template. By tailoring the PDMS segment length (m = 20, 37, 66 and 130; n = 40), a series of SMP foams were produced with tunable pore size, modulus (i.e. stiffness) and degradation rate. Their utility to treat bone defects will be discussed.

PDMS-PCL shape memory foams with tunable properites

245th National Meeting (2013)

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