Originally Published EMDM October 2002
INDUSTRY NEWS
Shape-Shifting Gels Seek Medical Applications
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Semiliquid
gels can be programmed to become rigid at predetermined temperatures.
Applications include face masks and prosthetic products.
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Phase-transition gels that are engineered to change state at a predetermined temperature were initially commercialized to make golf shoes more comfortable. But the gels may have a higher calling. The material can be put to a variety of uses where a conformable fit is desired, notably medical devices, says Neil Goldman, senior vice president of Foster-Miller Inc., an engineering firm based in Waltham, MA, USA. Goldman recently announced that Foster-Miller and Smart Materials (Norton, MA, USA), a company that specializes in commercial applications of responsive materials, would make Morph Gel technology available for exclusive field-of-use licenses.
In its initial semiliquid state, the gel readily conforms to the contours of the user. As it reaches the trigger temperature, the gel becomes rigid. It can be programmed to be either soft and comfortable or firm and supportive. Possible medical applications, according to Goldman, include sleep apnea masks, orthopaedic and prosthetic devices, and wheelchair cushions. Goldman also speculates that the material may one day find use as a drug-delivery device. "The drug could be embedded within the gel," he says, "and by altering the formulation, drug release can be programmed over days or weeks."
One of the key properties of the material, Goldman stresses, is its versatility. When the thermal source is removed, the gel returns to its original state, ready for the next use. "The viscosities and transition temperatures that can be programmed into the material are almost limitless," says Goldman. The gels will be especially useful in products that provide support, pressure relief, or pressure distribution, he adds.
For additional information, contact Foster-Miller Inc., 350
Second Ave., Waltham, MA 02451-1196, USA; phone: +1 781 6844000; fax: +1 781
8903489; Internet: www.foster-miller.com.
Norbert
Sparrow
Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer
