A near-infrared light-triggered shape-memory polymer for long-time fluorescence imaging in deep tissues
Chengzhen Chu, Zhen Xiang, Jiao Wang, Hui Xie, Tao Xiang, Shaobing Zhou
Abstract
, leading to shape recovery in 50 s in a programmed shape-transition process. YHD798 also exerted an aggregation-induced emission effect, endowing the polymer with a clear NIR fluorescence imaging function even when covered by a 2 mm pork slab and could be used for the real-time visualization of the implanted device fabricated from this polymer in deep tissues of the body. When a tubular stent that was fabricated from this polymer, was implanted into the carotid artery of a Sprague-Dawley rat, it could recover to its permanent shape under 808 nm laser irradiation in 60 s owing to the shape-memory function and facilitated NIR-I fluorescence imaging after implantation for a week owing to the croconate dye. This work provides a new strategy for designing and developing smart polymers with NIR-light-triggered shape-memory effect and long-term fluorescence imaging function for biomedical applications.