FURI | Spring 2019

Ultrasound Cleavable Polymers for Reversible Vascular Embolization

Embolization therapy uses either particles, metal coils, or balloons to reduce blood supply to a targeted area, starving cancerous tissues. This proposal focuses on creating a polymer that can change from a gelled to a liquid state under high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). With this an embolism that has been mistakenly placed or dislodged can be dissolved safely. Currently, the polymer P(NIPAM-co-tba) shows promise as an ultrasound sensitive biomaterial. Future studies should be conducted to modify this polymer for use within the body