Research Progress of Shape Memory Polymers in Biomedical Applications

形状记忆聚合物(SMPs)作为新一代智能响应材料，在外源性刺激下(温度、光照、磁场、电场、水溶液等)可呈现可编程形变特性与精准形状恢复能力，在生物医学领域展现出广阔的应用前景。SMPs的作用机理依赖于聚合物交联网络与可逆单元的协同作用，不同的驱动方式适用于不同的临床场景中。当前，SMPs已成功用于动态组织工程支架的构建、靶向药物递送系统的开发、智能创面管理及微创介入治疗等领域，通过其独特的动态适配调节功能与时空可控性显著提升了临床疗效。然而，材料降解动力学与组织再生过程不匹配、匹配性、外源性刺激源的潜在毒副作用、4D打印精度不足等问题仍制约着SMPs的临床转化进程。未来需融合多功能设计(如内源性刺激响应)与先进制造技术，通过跨学科协同创新推动SMPs从实验室迈向精准医疗，为智能诊疗提供革新性工具。As a new generation of intelligent responsive materials, shape memory polymers (SMPs) exhibit programmable deformation characteristics and precise shape recovery capabilities under exogenous stimuli (temperature, light, magnetic fields, electric fields, aqueous solutions, etc.), demonstrating broad application prospects in the biomedical field. The mechanism of SMPs relies on the synergistic interaction between polymer cross-linked networks and reversible units, with different actuation methods suitable for diverse clinical scenarios. Currently, SMPs have been successfully applied in constructing dynamic tissue engineering scaffolds, developing targeted drug delivery systems, intelligent wound management, and minimally invasive interventions. Their unique dynamic adaptation regulation and spatiotemporal controllability have significantly enhanced clinical efficacy. However, challenges such as the mismatch between material degradation kinetics and tissue regeneration processes, potential toxic side effects of exogenous stimuli sources, and insufficient 4D printing precision continue to hinder clinical translation. Future development requires integration of multifunctional designs (such as endogenous stimuli-responsive mechanisms) with advanced manufacturing technologies, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to advance SMPs from laboratory research towards precision medicine, thereby providing revolutionary tools for intelligent diagnosis and treatment.