Abstract

Shape-memory characteristics shed light on materials science and open horizons for accessing to unconventional functions in material categories subsuming metals, polymers, and ceramics. Biomedical fields manifest great interest in adopting shape-memory materials for unconventional properties, specifications, and well-defined mechanical properties. In spite of the mentioned advantages, their biocompatibility for long-term and permanent applications has not yet been comprehensively distinguished. This article summarizes the most common clinical applications of shape memory alloys and polymers, e.g., tissue engineering, drug delivery, hydrogels, orthodontic wires/distracters, artificial discs, orthopedic staples, atrial septal occlusion devices, neurosurgical stents, etc., and also addresses their critical biocompatibility issues.

摘要

形状记忆特性为材料科学提供了启示，并为获得包括金属、聚合物和陶瓷在内的材料类别中的非常规功能开辟了视野。生物医学领域对采用形状记忆材料来实现非常规性能、规格和明确的机械性能表现出极大的兴趣。尽管有上述优点，但它们在长期和永久应用中的生物相容性尚未得到全面区分。本文总结了形状记忆合金和聚合物最常见的临床应用，例如组织工程、药物输送、水凝胶、正畸线/牵引器、人工椎间盘、骨科钉、房间隔封堵器、神经外科支架等，并讨论了它们的关键生物相容性问题。