University of Colorado

Michael Zimkowski

Robin Shandas

Formulations of shape memory polymer (SMP) are integrated with several existing clinically available medical fabrics. The SMP portion of a SMP-integrated fabric can be fabricated in varying thicknesses with the minimum thickness determined by the thickness of the underlying fabric and up to almost any thickness. Integration of the SMP with the base fabrics does not alter the shape memory functionality of the SMP. The design tools for controlling activation rate for traditional SMP materials thus apply to SMP-integrated fabrics. SMP-integrated fabrics may also be steam sterilized without loss of shape memory functionality.

Medical fabric with integrated shape memory polymer

Formulations of shape memory polymer (SMP) are integrated with several existing clinically available medical fabrics. The SMP portion of a SMP integrated fabric can be fabricated in varying thicknesses with the minimum thickness determined by the thickness of the underlying fabric and up to almost any thickness. Integration of the SMP with the base fabrics does not alter the shape memory functionality of the SMP. The design tools for controlling activation rate for traditional SMP materials thus apply to SMP integrated fabrics. SMP integrated fabrics may also be steam sterilized without loss of shape memory functionality.

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Aurora, CO, United States of America

Michael Zimkowski