Four-Dimensional Printing of Shape Memory Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Advances in DLP and SLA Manufacturing

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) represent an innovative class of materials that possess programmed, reversible shape-changing capabilities in response to external stimuli. The recent emergence of SMPs’ advanced manufacturing, specifically 4D printing, has created exceptional opportunities for use in biomedical engineering. This review presents a critical synthesis of the latest advances in the chemistry, biomedical applications, manufacturing strategies, and clinical translation of SMPs, highlighting vat photopolymerization techniques, such as stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). Notably, 4D-printed SMPs can promote spatiotemporally controlled architectures, and applications include minimally invasive implants, dynamic tissue scaffolds, and multifunctional drug delivery. This paper focuses on recent advances in resin design, multi-responsive and nanocomposite resins, AI-guided material discovery, and emerging biocompatible and biodegradable formulations, while outlining current roadblocks to clinical implementation, including cytotoxicity, sterilization, regulatory compliance, and device shelf-life. Our goal is to elucidate the relationship between material design, processing, and biomedical performance to inform researchers of potential future directions for 4D-printed SMPs and next-generation, patient-centered medical devices.