Therapeutic-Ultrasound-Triggered Shape Memory of a Melamine-Enhanced Poly(vinyl alcohol) Physical Hydrogel.

Abstract

Therapeutic-ultrasound-triggered shape memory was demonstrated for the first time with a melamine-enhanced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) physical hydrogel. The addition of a small amount of melamine (up to 1.5 wt %) in PVA results in a strong hydrogel due to the multiple H-bonding between the two constituents. A temporary shape of the hydrogel can be obtained by deformation of the hydrogel (∼65 wt % water) at room temperature, followed by fixation of the deformation by freezing/thawing the hydrogel under strain, which induces crystallization of PVA. We show that the ultrasound delivered by a commercially available device designed for the patient's pain relief could trigger the shape recovery process as a result of ultrasound-induced local heating in the hydrogel that melts the crystallized PVA cross-linking. This hydrogel is thus interesting for potential applications because it combines many desirable properties, being mechanically strong, biocompatible, and self-healable and displaying the shape memory capability triggered by a physiological stimulus.

• Authors: Guo Li, Qiang Yan, Hesheng Xia, Yue Zhao
• Journal: ACS applied materials & interfaces (ACS Appl Mater Interfaces) Vol. 7 Issue 22 Pg. 12067-73 (Jun 10 2015) ISSN: 1944-8252 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25985115 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biocompatible Materials
• Triazines
• Water
• Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
• Polyvinyl Alcohol
• melamine

Topics

• Biocompatible Materials (chemistry)
• Crystallization
• Humans
• Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Hydrogen Bonding
• Pain Management
• Polyvinyl Alcohol (chemistry)
• Triazines (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Water (chemistry)