Patent attributes
In accordance with the invention, compositions, devices, and related methods have been developed for medical-related and other applications. In some embodiments, the devices and compositions described herein comprise a triggerable shape memory polymer network. In certain embodiments, the polymer network comprises a covalently crosslinked polymeric material and a non-crosslinked polymeric material associated with the crosslinked polymeric material. In some cases, the polymer network has a first configuration (e.g., as polymerized), and a second configuration (e.g., upon heating and deformation), such that the polymer network can be triggered to recover the first configuration upon heating the polymeric material above a softening temperature of the polymeric material. In certain embodiments, the polymer network comprises a plurality of particles capable of increasing the temperature of the polymer network (e.g., above the softening temperature) in the presence of an external stimulus such as induction, radio frequency, or magnetic resonance, such that the polymer network changes configuration. The polymeric material may be molded into any suitable shape.
