title: Smart implant materials.
abstract: The combination of stimuli-sensitive implant materials and minimally invasive surgery techniques is expected to give rise to numerous applications. Biodegradable thermoplastic elastomers are presented here as an example of a group of biodegradable implant materials with shape-memory properties. Their capabilities and use in a smart suture are described.
authors.affiliation: GKSS Research Centre, Geesthacht GmbH, institute of Chemistry, Teltow, Germany. lendlein@gkss.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lendlein
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelch
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004548:Elasticity; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers