Shape memory polymer (SMP) is a class of polymer with properties of non-toxic, environmentally friendly and biocompatibility. It can be activated by an external stimulus to change and subsequently recover its original shape. Duo to its biodegradability, easy forming properties and shape memory effect, shape memory polymer has been widely used in bio-medical applications. This paper details an application of SMP on porous bone tissue scaffold. Compared with traditional bone tissue scaffold, the scaffold based on SMP possesses advantages of low cost, easy assembly and easy adjustment. And most importantly, the bone tissue scaffold based on SMP can adapt to keep the best fixed state. Besides, bone tissue scaffold is designed based on the biological structure, which characteristics of high porosity and high specific surface area will promote the growth of new bone tissue. Combining with 4D printing, it can realize customization. Bone tissue scaffold based on SMP exhibit excellent performance and prove to be a potential application in bone tissue engineering.

Date Published: 18 March 2019
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0, 1097308 (18 March 2019); doi: 10.1117/12.2514545

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10973:
Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0
Norbert G. Meyendorf; Kerrie Gath; Christopher Niezrecki, Editor(s)