Biodegradable shape memory polymers

US6160084A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Robert S. Langer · Newton, US
• Andreas Lendlein · Berlin, DE
• Annette Schmidt · Neuss, DE
• Hans Georg Grablowitz · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 23, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 12, 2000
• Expiry date: Feb 23, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61L2400/16
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Biodegradable shape memory polymer compositions, articles of manufacture thereof, and methods of preparation and use thereof are described. In one embodiment the compositions include at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment. The T.sub.trans of the hard segment is preferably between -30 and 270.degree. C. At least one of the hard or soft segments can contain a crosslinkable group, and the segments can be linked by formation of an interpenetrating network or a semi-interpenetrating network, or by physical interactions of the segments. Objects can be formed into a given shape at a temperature above the T.sub.trans of the hard segment, and cooled to a temperature below the T.sub.trans of the soft segment. If the object is subsequently formed into a second shape, the object can return to its original shape by heating the object above the T.sub.trans of the soft segment and below the T.sub.trans of the hard segment.