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A. Thermoplastics E. Mechanical E. ThermalThe variation in the properties of polymeric materials through ageing has considerable implications, since it affects the performance of any associated devices. Specially in the case of implantable devices with shape memory, any change in the switching temperature can give rise to problems in the thermal activation of the geometrical changes necessary to treat certain pathologies.This paper presents a study about the physical ageing of a polyurethane based shape memory polymer, SMP, at different temperatures using differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, and microhardness, MH, tests. The benefits of the combinated application of both testing techniques is shown, since DSC tests give information on the evolution of the glass transition temperature and the MH tests provide details of changes regarding mechanical properties.

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In this study we investigate an alternative method for designing and obtaining novel scaffolds for analyzing the influence of geometries on tissue engineering processes. The method is based on the combination of conventional and accessible rapid prototyping technologies with plasma processing using a hydrogen‐free diamond‐like carbon (DLC) coating in order to improve cell–tissue interactions. The proposed method allows a precise control of scaffold structure and enables in vitro studies linked to cell growth and tissue formation because of the highly biocompatible DLC surface. Several designs with different hole sizes and surface topographies have been manufactured for subsequent in vitro study of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) growth and aggregation, so as to validate our approach.

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