Shape memory hydrogels in tissue engineering: Recent advances and challenges
Naeem A., Yu C., Zhou L., Xie Y., Weng Y., Huang Y.
Narrative Review, published in Bioact Mater (2025) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
- Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
- Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
- Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
- Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
- Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.
- Study type
- Narrative Review
- Journal
- Bioact Mater (2025)
- Reported sample size
- —
- Source database
- Europe PMC
- PMID
- 40895240
- PMCID
- PMC12396266
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.08.009
- Citations
- 4
Abstract (original English)
Shape memory hydrogels (SMHs) have emerged as transformative materials in tissue engineering, owing to their unique ability to recover their original shape after deformation. These hydrogels combine hydrophilicity and elasticity with shape memory capabilities, making them ideal candidates for various biomedical applications. This review examines their innovative design and synthesis, highlighting the physical and biological characteristics that make them well-suited for tissue engineering, such as mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. SMHs have diverse applications in tissue engineering, including bone regeneration, soft tissue reconstruction, and the engineering of vascular and neural tissues. Additionally, they are utilized in smart drug delivery systems and the fabrication of 3D-printed customized implants. Despite these advancements, challenges such as production scalability, optimization of mechanical properties, shape recovery and fixation, controlled degradation, and long-term stability persist. Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for overcoming these challenges and enhancing their clinical potential. In conclusion, SMHs offer innovative solutions to complex biomedical problems, making them valuable tools for advancing regenerative medicine and improving patient outcomes.
What this study does not prove
- • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
- • This is a narrative review: it collects no new patient data and does not systematically appraise evidence quality.
Evidence level
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
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