Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Blood-Material Interactions With Degradable Shape Memory Polymer Foams, Ellen Barlow Shepherd

Theses - ALL

Shape memory polymer (SMP) foams are a class of smart materials that show promise for managing uncontrolled hemorrhage on the battlefield. The current standard treatments of gauze and tourniquets are not able to effectively control hemorrhage in up to 80% of combat injuries. Most hemostatic devices also require removal within 12 hours of application. Patient transportation to a facility for removal may not be possible within this time frame and the removal process itself can cause further damage to the wound. As an alternative hemostatic device, polyurethane SMP foams have shown to be effective and biocompatible hemostats; however, removal still …