ABSTRACT
In this chapter, polyurethane-based SMP materials, their potential and already investigated medical applications are described. Their major advantages over other medical materials are delineated. The attractive feature is that Tg can be tailored for the shape-restoration/self-deployment of different clinical devices when contacted or implanted in the human body. SMP materials could be used in a variety of different medical devices and diagnostic products as deployable elements of implants from vascular grafts to components of cardiac pacemakers and artificial hearts. These materials with high shape-recovery/packaging capability can be inserted through small incisions or in non-invasive way by catheters and subsequently regain their original large shape/size by the body heat and then stay there to perform a desired function. Some simple SMP applications are already utilized in a clinical setting, whereas others are still in development.
