Development and Characterization of Shape Memory Polymers for Non-Invasive Biomedical Applications

Jeewantha, L. H. Janitha; Emmanuel, Chris; Herath, Madhubhashitha; Islam, Mainul; Epaarachchi, Jayantha

doi:10.1115/smasis2021-66024

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Initially, the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy transition temperature was tailored for non-invasive orthopaedic applications to achieve the required stiffness at human body temperature (37 • C) [25]. After that, delicate shape memory properties were improved by 20% by introducing a customised curing schedule [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shape memory polymer smart plaster for orthopaedic treatments

Jeewantha

Jayalath²,

Don³

et al. 2022

Smart Mater. Struct.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Shape memory polymer (SMP) is a smart material that can respond to external stimuli and recover its permanent shape after being programmed. Researchers have been interested in SMPs for invasive biomedical applications, but there are many opportunities for non-invasive applications. Thus, in this study, a novel hybrid shape memory polymer nanocomposite smart plaster (SP) is synthesised for non-invasive orthopaedic fractured bone immobilisation. Due to its considerable structural properties, the SP for this study was synthesised with Bisphenol A epoxy, reinforced with E-glass fibres, its bioinspiration qualities were improved incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles. After that, the SP was preserved for three months under five different conditions. This was done to compare their environmental durability and usability for fractured bone immobilisation by analysing the resulting thermomechanical and shape memory properties. In addition, an Abaqus finite element model was developed and validated which can be used to optimise the design and geometrical parameters of the SP. The SP vitro performance was verified, demonstrating a lower limb leg cylindrical cast in less than 10 minutes. The SP at 50oC and two layers of cotton webril produced the optimum results, and the recorded maximum undercast temperature was less than 45oC, which was within the safe limit for human use. Furthermore, the undercast pressure did not surpass 30.2±5.2 mmHg, indicating that the results are equivalent to other bone immobilisation procedures. Therefore, the synthesised SP showed a promising approach to address existing orthopaedic fractured bone limb immobilisation challenges.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%