title: Reticulation of low density shape memory polymer foam with an in vivo demonstration of vascular occlusion.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3120, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Texas Institute for Preclinical Studies, Texas A&M University, MS 4478, College Station, TX 77845, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3120, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3120, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3123, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: Cheng-Kang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
authors.forename: Ward
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3120, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: Landon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3120, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: Hunter
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skoog
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, MS 3120, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA. Electronic address: djmaitland@tamu.edu.
authors.forename: Duncan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Maitland
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D010539:Permeability; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; C013616:nitinol