Patent ID: 8641951

Claim:
Method for producing a programmed triple-shape memory polymer, which assumes a first temporary shape and has stored at least two additional thermally activatable shapes comprising at least one second temporary shape and a permanent shape, the method consisting of the steps of: (a) providing a triple-shape memory polymer which has at least two switching segments (A, B), which through phase segregation each form a switching phase having each a corresponding transition temperature (T transA , T transB ), (b) deforming the shape memory polymer, via application of a mechanical shape deformation, into a shape corresponding to the first temporary shape at a temperature above the upper transition temperature (T transA ), and (c) cooling the shape memory polymer to a temperature below the lower transition temperature (T transB ) in doing so fixing the first temporary shape by phase transition of the first switching segment (A) and programming the second temporary shape by phase transition of the second switching segment (B).