4D Printing of Shape Memory‐Based Personalized Endoluminal Medical Devices

TLDR

Additive manufacturing combined with shape‑morphing materials, such as shape‑memory thermosets, offers promise for personalized medical devices, yet their insolubility and lack of flow at any temperature pose processing challenges. The study aims to develop a strategy that uses medical imaging data to fabricate a printable shape‑memory endoluminal device, illustrated by a tracheal stent. The device is fabricated by stereolithographic printing of a methacrylated polycaprolactone precursor (MW 10 000 g mol⁻¹) guided by patient‑specific anatomical data. The approach aligns with personalized medicine trends and is expected to broaden the use of shape‑memory biomedical devices across many clinical indications.

Abstract

The convergence of additive manufacturing and shape-morphing materials is promising for the advancement of personalized medical devices. The capability to transform 3D objects from one shape to another, right off the print bed, is known as 4D printing. Shape memory thermosets can be tailored to have a range of thermomechanical properties favorable to medical devices, but processing them is a challenge because they are insoluble and do not flow at any temperature. This study presents here a strategy to capitalize on a series of medical imaging modalities to construct a printable shape memory endoluminal device, exemplified by a tracheal stent. A methacrylated polycaprolactone precursor with a molecular weight of 10 000 g mol-1 is printed with a UV-LED stereolithography printer based on anatomical data. This approach converges with the zeitgeist of personalized medicine and it is anticipated that it will broadly expand the application of shape memory-exhibiting biomedical devices to myriad clinical indications.