The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a new material and methodology for cast immobilization of an injured or surgically repaired area. The work focuses on using multi-functional shape-memory polymers with multiple activations to create an adaptive cast. Currently, the shape-memory effect is a singular event and occurs on the acute timescale. The proposed project will attempt to create a tunable shape-memory polymer cast material with the capability of activating at separate events to function on the chronic timescale. The cast material will be developed with the ability to respond to physiological changes associated with post-operative edema.
The proposed work will lay the groundwork to create and design other shape-memory medical devices with multiple functionalities. This is relevant to any application that experiences mechanical relaxation or geometrical changes over time. General examples include problems in implant loosening or pediatric development. On a larger market, this work is relevant for the design of multi-functional sensors and actuators.
