Reticulation of low density shape memory polymer foam with an in vivo demonstration of vascular occlusion. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Predominantly closed-cell low density shape memory polymer (SMP) foam was recently reported to be an effective aneurysm filling device in a porcine model (Rodriguez et al., Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 2013: (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.34782)). Because healing involves blood clotting and cell migration throughout the foam volume, a more open-cell structure may further enhance the healing response. This research sought to develop a non-destructive reticulation process for this SMP foam to disrupt the membranes between pore cells. Non-destructive mechanical reticulation was achieved using a gravity-driven floating nitinol pin array coupled with vibratory agitation of the foam and supplemental chemical etching. Reticulation resulted in a reduced elastic modulus and increased permeability, but did not impede the shape memory behavior. Reticulated foams were capable of achieving rapid vascular occlusion in an in vivo porcine model.

published proceedings

  • J Mech Behav Biomed Mater

altmetric score

  • 6

author list (cited authors)

  • Rodriguez, J. N., Miller, M. W., Boyle, A., Horn, J., Yang, C., Wilson, T. S., ... Maitland, D. J.

citation count

  • 38

complete list of authors

  • Rodriguez, Jennifer N||Miller, Matthew W||Boyle, Anthony||Horn, John||Yang, Cheng-Kang||Wilson, Thomas S||Ortega, Jason M||Small, Ward||Nash, Landon||Skoog, Hunter||Maitland, Duncan J

publication date

  • December 2014