Scientists in China and Canada have used high intensity ultrasound to change the shape of polymers for use in surgical implants. Polymer shape recovery has been employed before using light and heat as external stimuli but not with ultrasound, which has much greater spatial and temporal control as well as being able to penetrate much deeper into body tissue.
In addition to being able to generate different shapes, the ultrasound can be used to simultaneously induce drug release from the polymer. This has a potential application in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Read this article for free until the 25th April.
Communication: Spatial and temporal control of shape memory polymers and simultaneous drug release using high intensity focused ultrasound
Guo Li, Guoxia Fei, Hesheng Xia, Jianjun Han and Yue Zhao
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2JM30848G (Advance Article)
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