4D printed hydrogel scaffold with swelling-stiffening properties and programmable deformation for minimally invasive implantation

Bo Liu, Hui Li, Fengzhen Meng, Ziyang Xu, Liuzhi Hao, Yuan Yao, Hao Zhu, Chenmin Wang, Jun Wu, Shaoquan Bian, Willima W. Lu, Wenguang Liu (), Haobo Pan () and Xiaoli Zhao ()
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Bo Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hui Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fengzhen Meng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ziyang Xu: Tianjin University
Liuzhi Hao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuan Yao: Tianjin University
Hao Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chenmin Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jun Wu: The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital
Shaoquan Bian: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Willima W. Lu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenguang Liu: Tianjin University
Haobo Pan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaoli Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The power of three-dimensional printing in designing personalized scaffolds with precise dimensions and properties is well-known. However, minimally invasive implantation of complex scaffolds is still challenging. Here, we develop amphiphilic dynamic thermoset polyurethanes catering for multi-material four-dimensional printing to fabricate supportive scaffolds with body temperature-triggered shape memory and water-triggered programmable deformation. Shape memory effect enables the two-dimensional printed pattern to be fixed into temporary one-dimensional shape, facilitating transcatheter delivery. Upon implantation, the body temperature triggers shape recovery of the one-dimensional shape to its original two-dimensional pattern. After swelling, the hydrated pattern undergoes programmable morphing into the desired three-dimensional structure because of swelling mismatch. The structure exhibits unusual soft-to-stiff transition due to the water-driven microphase separation formed between hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain segments. The integration of shape memory, programmable deformability, and swelling-stiffening properties makes the developed dynamic thermoset polyurethanes promising supportive void-filling scaffold materials for minimally invasive implantation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45938-0

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