4D-POLYSENSE

Polypropylene meshes as sensitive motion sensors

4D-POLYSENSE project created a new generation of surgical meshes, able to interact with the complex three-dimensional structure of biological tissues, as a new smart material working as self-evolving motion sensor. For it, a thermosensitive hydrogel, named poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), was chemically polymerized above PP threads, allowing the whole system to dynamically interact with the local environment, giving rise to the appearance of the fourth dimension (4D) response for the biomedical implants. 

Agency: Commission of European Communities (H2020-796292-4DPOLYSENSE).

Principal investigators: Prof. Elaine Armelin and Dr. Sonia Lanzalaco.