%0 journal article
%@ 1048-6690
%A Lendlein, A., Kratz, K., Kelch, S.

%D 2005
%J Medical Device Technology
%N 3
%P 12-14 

%T Smart Implant Materials - Capabilities and applications of new biodegradable shape-memory elastomers
%U 
3 
%X Biodegradable polymers are widely used as implant materials e.g. as surgical suture material. A group of biodegradable implant materials with shape-memory has been developed for applications in biomedicine. Biodegradable thermoplastic elastomers, as example for a biodegradable shape-memory polymer system, are presented and a smart suture is given as example for a potential application. The combination of stimuli-sensitive implant materials with techniques of minimally invasive surgery is expected to have high potential for applications.