Design and synthesis of aromatic and aliphatic polyesters for resorbable and no-resorbable memory shape sutures for microsurgery

Ophthalmic surgery represents one of the most delicate and demanding fields in modern medicine, requiring materials that combine extreme precision, biocompatibility, and functional adaptability. In this context, the development of innovative suture materials capable of dynamically responding to surgical needs is of outermost importance. The present doctoral research project focuses on the design and synthesis of new polyesters specifically developed for the fabrication of shape-memory sutures for microsurgical applications, with a particular emphasis on ophthalmic use. A series of aliphatic and aromatic homopolymers were synthesised and subsequently modified through targeted chemical and physical approaches. These modifications, which were achieved by employing an ad hoc molecular design, enabled a fine tuning of mechanical strength, degradation rate and memory shape behaviour, leading to materials with properties tailored to specific surgical requirements. Of particular significance is that the synthesised materials exhibit distinct shape-memory behaviours. Indeed, some of them display thermal shape-memory capability, allowing the recovery through temperature changes, while others demonstrate mechanical shape-memory, a property that can be attributed to their superelastic properties. This versatility ensures a broad applicability across different surgical scenarios and surgeon preferences. The research project successfully culminated in the development of a prototype ophthalmic suture with a diameter that is suitable for microsurgical use. The device maintained the shape-memory functionality of the starting materials, thereby confirming the potential of these novel polyesters as a versatile platform for a next generation of smart materials for biomedical and surgical innovation.