Shape-memory effect by specific biodegradable polymer blending for biomedical applications.
Specific biodegradable polymers having shape-memory properties through "polymer-blend" method are investigated and their shape-switching in body temperature (37 °C) is characterized. Poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) are dissolved in chloroform and the films of several blending ratios of PLCL/PLGA are prepared by solvent casting. The shape-memory properties of films are also examined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Among the blending ratios, the PLCL50/PLGA50 film shows good performance of shape-fixity and shape-recovery based on glass transition temperature. It displays that the degree of shape recovery is 100% at 37 °C and the shape recovery proceeds within only 15 s. In vitro biocompatibility studies are shown to have good blood compatibility and cytocompatibility for the PLCL50/PLGA50 films. It is expected that this blended biodegradable polymer can be potentially used as a material for blood-contacting medical devices such as a self-expended vascular polymer stents and vascular closure devices in biomedical applications.
Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 130-650, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea.
Kook Jin
KJ
Cha
Eugene
E
Lih
Jiyeon
J
Choi
Yoon Ki
YK
Joung
Dong Jun
DJ
Ahn
Dong Keun
DK
Han
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D002208:Caproates / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C121056:caprolactone
biodegradable polymers; biomedical applications; glass transition temperature; polymer blends; shape memory polymers