Particulate release from nanoparticle-loaded shape memory polymer foams

Highly porous, open-celled shape memory polymer (SMP) foams are being developed for a number of vascular occlusion devices. Applications include abdominal aortic and neurovascular aneurysm or peripheral vascular occlusion. A major concern with implanting these high surface area materials in the vasculature is the potential to generate unacceptable particulate burden, in terms of number, size, and composition. This study demonstrates that particulate numbers and sizes in SMP foams are in compliance with limits stated by the most relevant standard and guidance documents. Particulates were quantified in SMP foams as made, postreticulation, and after incorporating nanoparticles intended to increase material toughness and improve radiopacity. When concentrated particulate treatments were administered to fibroblasts, they exhibited high cell viability (100%). These results demonstrate that the SMP foams do not induce an unacceptable level of risk to potential vascular occlusion devices due to particulate generation.