A SPRINGY plastic wire that changes shape at the flick of a switch could provide a safer treatment for stroke patients. The wire, which is made from a shape-memory polymer, lets surgeons remove blood clots from the brain without using potentially dangerous clot-busting drugs.
Most strokes are caused by clots clogging cerebral arteries. While the effects vary, the result is often partial paralysis or speech loss.
If patients get to hospital within 3 hours of symptoms appearing, they can be treated with a drug that dissolves the clot. If it works, they stand a good chance of a full recovery.…
