A soft, ultra-tough and multifunctional artificial muscle for volumetric muscle loss treatment

Abstract The escalating prevalence of skeletal muscle disorders highlights the critical need for innovative treatments for severe injuries like volumetric muscle loss. Traditional treatments, such as autologous transplants, are constrained by limited availability and current scaffolds often fail to meet complex clinical needs. This study introduces a new approach to VML treatment using a shape memory polymer (SMP) based on block copolymers of perfluoropolyether and polycaprolactone diol. This SMP mimics the biomechanical properties of natural muscle, exhibiting a low elastic modulus (2–6 MPa), high tensile strength (72.67 ± 3.19 MPa), exceptional toughness (742.02 ± 23.98 MJ m−3), and superior biocompatibility, thereby enhancing skeletal muscle tissue integration and regeneration within 4 weeks. Moreover, the polymer's shape memory behavior and ability to lift over 5000 times its weight showcase significant potential in both severe muscle disorder treatment and prosthetic applications, surpassing existing scaffold technologies. This advancement marks a pivotal step in the development of artificial muscles for clinical use.