4D printed shape memory polymers and their structures for biomedical applications

Abstract

Shape memory polymers are smart materials that produce shape changes under external stimulus conditions. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is a comprehensive technology originate from deformable materials and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. At present, 4D printed shape memory polymers and shape-changing structures have been applied in various fields, especially in the field of biomedical science. 4D printing technology has made a breakthrough of personalized customization in the traditional medical field, providing a new direction for the further development of the biomedical field. In this review, the recent research and development of shape memory polymer, 3D printing technology, 4D printed shape memory polymers and shape-changing structures in biomedical area are present. The examples and applications of 4D printed shape memory polymers and their structures in the area of biomedical are also introduced. Based on 4D printing, stimulated by different conditions, 3D printed objects can be fabricated into various biomedical applications such as cell scaffolds, vascular stents, bone scaffolds, tracheal stents and cardiac stents by different 3D printing techniques. Finally, the application prospects, existing technical restriction and future development directions of 4D printed shape memory polymers and their structures in the biomedical field are summarized.

Recent advances in 3D printing of nanocellulose: structure, preparation, and application prospects

“…These temporal changes are reversible as the materials are tuned in terms of chemical composition, geometrical and origami-based designs to enhance the shape memory performance. 274 This fabrication technique has emerged in biomedical application as cell scaffolds, self-expendable vascular stents, tracheal stents, bone scaffolds and other medical devices that help to cut down the risk and need for invasive surgery. 274,275 These shape memory materials can be engineered to either permanently retain their new shape upon external stimuli or capable of returning to their initial shape.…”

“…274 This fabrication technique has emerged in biomedical application as cell scaffolds, self-expendable vascular stents, tracheal stents, bone scaffolds and other medical devices that help to cut down the risk and need for invasive surgery. 274,275 These shape memory materials can be engineered to either permanently retain their new shape upon external stimuli or capable of returning to their initial shape. Their response rate towards the stimulations are effected by the material chemico-physical properties, environmental conditions, density and thickness of the printed structure.…”

4D Printing: A Review on Recent Progresses

“…The grippers can reversibly open and close around body temperature because of the thermal responsiveness of the pNIPAM-AAc. (reproduced from [ 111 ]).…”

Potential Applications of Magnesium-Based Polymeric Nanocomposites Obtained by Electrospinning Technique

“…Table 3. Requirements for the design of scaffolds in bone tissue engineering [141][142][143][144][145][146][147].…”