Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Our experience with shape memory polymers (SMP) began with a project to develop an embolic coil release actuator in 1996. This was the first known SMP device to enter human trials. Recent progress with the SMP devices include multiple device applications (stroke treatments, stents, other interventional devices), functional animal studies, synthesis and characterization of new SMP materials, in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility studies and device-tissue interactions for the laser, resistive, or magnetic-field activated actuators. We describe several of our applied SMP devices.