Shape-memory materials (SMMs) are characterized by their unique ability to remember and
recover their shape in response to external stimuli. Over recent decades, the use of SMMs in …

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have a wide range of potential novel medical applications due
to their superelastic properties and ability to restore and retain a 'memorised'shape …

Exploring shape memory alloys (SMAs) is like diving into a world of material magic,
especially when combined with additive manufacturing techniques. This detailed review …

Sensing-actuation systems can assist a bladder with lost sensation and weak muscle
control. Here, we advance the relevant technology by integrating a soft and thin capacitive …

Artificial sphincters (ASs) are used to replace the function of the biological sphincters in case
of severe urinary and fecal incontinence (UI and FI), and gastroesophageal reflux disease …

Perineal injury during childbirth is a common event with important morbidity associated in
particular with third-and-fourth degree perineal tears (also referred to as obstetric anal …

Electrically active dielectric elastomer has been a leading technology for artificial muscle. It
remains a great challenge to significantly reduce the actuation voltage down to far lower …

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence is a common and debilitating condition, of which the
prevalence increases with age. Several medical and minimally invasive treatment modalities …

While fecal incontinence (FI) is not fatal, it can dramatically decrease the patient's quality of
life. An artificial anal sphincter (AAS) is an implantable device that treats FI by replacing a …

This chapter describes twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) muscles that are made out of
highly drawn polymer fibers such as nylon 6, nylon 6, 6, and polyethene, following certain …