Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.

Abstract: Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a process for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endoleak with a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam device. First, a bifurcated stent graft is placed within the aneurysm while a micro guidewire is positioned within the aneurysm for future catheter access. Second, after placing the iliac graft extension, a catheter is introduced over wire to deliver embolic foams. Third, embolic foams expand and conform to the aneurysm wall. Fourth, embolic foams create a stable thrombus to prevent endoleak formation by isolating peripheral vessels from the aneurysm volume.

Abstract: A system for occluding a physical anomaly. One embodiment comprises a shape memory material body wherein the shape memory material body fits within the physical anomaly occluding the physical anomaly. The shape memory material body has a primary shape for occluding the physical anomaly and a secondary shape for being positioned in the physical anomaly.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a substrate of a medical device; an un-foamed polyurethane coating directly contacting the substrate and fixedly attached to the substrate; a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, having first and second states, which directly contacts the polyurethane coating and fixedly attaches to the polyurethane coating; wherein the polyurethane coating fixedly attaches the SMP foam to the substrate. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a process for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endoleak with a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam device. First, a bifurcated stent graft is placed within the aneurysm while a micro guidewire is positioned within the aneurysm for future catheter access. Second, after placing the iliac graft extension, a catheter is introduced over wire to deliver embolic foams. Third, embolic foams expand and conform to the aneurysm wall. Fourth, embolic foams create a stable thrombus to prevent endoleak formation by isolating peripheral vessels from the aneurysm volume.

Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel or vein, wherein the aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck. The system includes a shape memory polymer foam in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck. The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size. The second pore size is larger than said first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores are located in the neck of the aneurysm. The second multiplicity of pores are located in the dome of the aneurysm.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam that includes at least one antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may include at least one phenolic acid that is a pendent group chemically bonded to a polyurethane polymer chain of the SMP foam. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Implant devices and structures that reduce inflammation and promote healing of the area of implant. Specifically, the use of shape memory open cell biocompatible polymer foams for implants that assist in and promote healing and especially in filling and sealing aneurisms.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel or vein, wherein the aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck. The system includes a shape memory polymer foam in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck. The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size. The second pore size is larger than said first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores are located in the neck of the aneurysm. The second multiplicity of pores are located in the dome of the aneurysm.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam designed to recover its original shape through exposure to a solvent. Thermo-responsive SMPs are polymers designed to maintain a programmed secondary shape until heated above their transition temperature, upon which the polymer recovers its original, or primary, shape. The thermo-responsive SMP foam is programmed to its secondary shape prior to use, typically compression of the foam to a small volume, and remains in this programmed shape until exposed to a selected solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide or ethyl alcohol. Upon exposure to the solvent, the transition temperature of the SMP foam decreases below the temperature of the environment and the SMP foam actuates to its primary shape. The SMP foam is tailored to actuate upon exposure to specific solvents while minimizing or preventing actuation when exposed to water or other solvents.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam that includes at least one antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may include at least one phenolic acid that is a pendent group chemically bonded to a polyurethane polymer chain of the SMP foam. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.