Tungsten‐loaded SMP foam nanocomposites with inherent radiopacity and tunable thermo‐mechanical properties |
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| Authors: | Sayyeda M Hasan Garrett Harmon Fang Zhou Jeffery E Raymond Tiffany P Gustafson Thomas S Wilson Duncan J Maitland |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, 5045 Emerging Technologies Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;2. Characterization Facility, College of Science and Engineering, 1‐234 Nils Hasselmo Hall, 312, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA;3. Texas A&M University, Laboratory for Synthetic‐Biologic Interactions, Department of Chemistry, 1031 Chemistry Complex, College Station, TX, USA;4. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Shape memory polymer (SMP) foams have been developed for use in neurovascular occlusion applications. These materials are predominantly polyurethanes that are known for their biocompatibility and tunable properties. However, these polymers inherently lack X‐ray visibility, which is a significant challenge for their use as implantable materials. Herein, low density, highly porous shape memory polyurethane foams were developed with tungsten nanoparticles dispersed into the foam matrix, at increasing concentrations, to serve as a radiopaque agent. Utilizing X‐ray fluoroscopy sufficient visibility of the foams at small geometries was observed. Thermal characterization of the foams indicated altered thermal response and delayed foam actuation with increasing nanoparticle loading (because of restricted network mobility). Mechanical testing indicated decreased toughness and strength for higher loading because of disruption of the SMP matrix. Overall, filler addition imparted x‐ray visibility to the SMP foams and allowed for tuned control of the transition temperature and actuation kinetics for the material. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | nanocomposite radiopacity dispersion aneurysm glass transition temperature |
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