Shape‐Memory Effect by Specific Biodegradable Polymer Blending for Biomedical Applications

Specific biodegradable polymers having shape‐memory properties through “polymer‐blend” method are investigated and their shape‐switching in body temperature (37 °C) is characterized. Poly( L ‐lactide‐ co ‐caprolactone) (PLCL) and poly( L ‐lactide‐ co ‐glycolide) (PLGA) are dissolved in chloroform and the films of several blending ratios of PLCL/PLGA are prepared by solvent casting. The shape‐memory properties of films are also examined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Among the blending ratios, the PLCL50/PLGA50 film shows good performance of shape‐fixity and shape‐recovery based on glass transition temperature. It displays that the degree of shape recovery is 100% at 37 °C and the shape recovery proceeds within only 15 s. In vitro biocompatibility studies are shown to have good blood compatibility and cytocompatibility for the PLCL50/PLGA50 films. It is expected that this blended biodegradable polymer can be potentially used as a material for blood‐contacting medical devices such as a self‐expended vascular polymer stents and vascular closure devices in biomedical applications.