JP2003112380A - Shape-memory polymer moldable at low temperature and its structural body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shape-memory polymer moldable at a low temperature used for fixing the skeleton or muscle of the human body etc., as a tool for orthopedics and rehabilitation and the structural body of the polymer. SOLUTION: The structural body of the shape-memory polymer is composed of a rigid layer and a foamed layer which are made of a thermoplastic polymer, and the foamed layer does antibacterial treatment, water absorbing treatment, punching treatment, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a low temperature moldable shape memory polymer and its structure for use in rehabilitation and straightening applications. The structure is composed of a rigid layer and a foam layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In orthopedics and rehabilitation, there are many fixed belts, bandages, fixed racks and the like which are generally used for fixing or supporting a damaged skeleton, ligament, muscle, etc. There is a demand for a material that does not cause adverse effects on the skin even if it is used over a long period of time, and can be locally adjusted even after completion, is light, and has no toxicity. What is further required for this property is that when molding products, it can be molded quickly, avoids the generation of high thermal energy, can be easily attached and detached during the period of use, and can withstand waterproofing and X-ray irradiation. Characteristics such as wear resistance, impact resistance, and recyclability are required.

Since many of the materials currently used are made by coating a polymer or the like on elastic fibers or directly molding a selected material, it is difficult to satisfy all the above characteristics. . Therefore, the invention of a new material is desired.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a shape memory polymer which can be molded at a low temperature and a structure thereof, which is used for rehabilitation or correction and which satisfies the above requirements.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventors have found that the above objects can be easily achieved by using the following polymers and structures, The present invention has been achieved. That is, the present invention relates to a shape memory polymer used for fixing or supporting a skeleton or muscle of a human body and a structure thereof.

The structure softens below 80 ° C.
When the temperature falls below ℃, it cures again, and the lower the temperature, the faster the curing speed. Therefore, in the softening stage, it should be brought into close contact with the affected area,
It can be molded into a desired specific shape or size. The rigid layer and the foamed layer in the shape-memory polymer structure of the present invention are thermoplastic polymers and can be obtained by the same kind or a combination of different materials. However, the foaming layer needs to be modified with a foaming agent, and a general foaming agent used at that time is used.

The rigid layer is combined from shape memory polymers such as hexalactone, polyurethanes, polyenes and crosslinked polyethylene. For example, thermoplastic hexalactones include poly and ε-hexalactone.
Its average molecular weight is 5,000 to 100,000, preferably 30,000. As the polyurethane, two types of ester type and ether type are used according to hardness requirements. In addition, as the polyene, trans-polyisoprene or the like is used.

The foam layer is a foam which is made of polyenes and a suitable foaming agent and is compatible with living organisms, and the specific gravity of the foam layer is 0.05 to 1.0. Preferably, transpolyisoprene is used as the polyene and a styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer is used as the blowing agent. The content of polyenes is 20-80% (wt
%), And the content of the foaming agent is 80 to 20% (wt%).

The rigid layer and the foam layer are joined by a conventional method. For example, a coating joining method, a pressure bonding method, an injection method, or the like can be used, and the product form is divided into a plate shape and a cylinder shape.

Since the foam layer of the present invention comes into contact with the skin,
A special treatment, that is, antibacterial, water absorption, and punching, formed a breathable surface and enabled long-term use.

[0011]

The feature of the shape-memory polymer structure of the present invention is that it can be molded at a low temperature. This structure has a softening temperature of 20 to 80 ° C. and a hardness of AS depending on the design of each layer.
TMD2240 Class C measurement value 27.

As a method of patterning, the polymer structure of the required size is treated in hot water of 60 to 70 ° C. or another heat source for 2 to 5 minutes to soften it, and then taken out from the heat source to obtain the foam surface. Make a mold by directly adhering to the required affected area. If the temperature drops, the required shape can be formed. If necessary, speed can be controlled with water, air and other cooling methods.

Since the product of the present invention transmits X-rays, it can be performed with a smaller amount of X-ray irradiation than other materials. The structure of the present invention is light, and has excellent hardness and abrasion resistance. Other characteristics are that it is familiar to the living body, can be used for a long time, and that the patient can easily make local corrections during rehabilitation.

Continued front page    F term (reference) 4C098 AA02 BB16 BC01 BC50 DD23                       DD25                 4F100 AK04A AK28A AK41A AK51A                       BA02 BA07 CA01B CA02A                       DJ01B GB66 JK01A JL00                       YY00A YY00B

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A shape memory polymer and structure which can be molded at low temperature, wherein the structure is composed of two layers, a rigid layer and a foam layer, and the rigid layer is selected from hexalactone, polyenes, polyurethane and crosslinked polyethylene. The foam layer contains 20 to 80% (wt%) of polyenes and 80 to 80%.
It contains 20% (wt%) of a foaming agent and has a specific gravity of 0.1 to 0.
It is 5. The thickness ratio of the foam layer and the rigid layer is 0.1 to 1.0.
Is. 2. The structure composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyenes are thermoplastic polymers containing trans-polyisoprene as a main component.