Clinical Feasibility of a Shape-Memory Polymer aimed at Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract The presence of robots in hospitals has grown immensely. The use of surgical robots has the benefits to improve safety and efficiency for the patient. A class of surgical robots, which show great potential, are soft robots. They have a material stiffness closer to human tissue. Smart materials and especially a class called Shape Memory Polymer(SMP) show great potential for biomedical application. This thesis researches the clinical feasibility of such a shape memory polymer called ’DiAPLEX’. It presents the material specifications of this specific and it gives a potential solution for hemo- and biocompatibility of polyurethane with the use of PEO grafted surfaces and PEG spacers. Furthermore, this study has shown that engraved hinges with a width of 3 and 4 mm have the highest angular velocities. Functionality tests in an experimental setup showed a good insert-ability, good and fast opening(80 seconds), good maneuverability, a reasonable drug deliv- ery, and a good removability for a tested prototype.