One-step processing of hydrogels for mechanically robust and chemically desired features
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid included in a hydrogel film; and
crosslinked alginate included in the hydrogel;
wherein (a) the alginate is crosslinked with calcium, (b) the alginate is crosslinked around the uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid, (c) the hyaluronic acid and the alginate are formed around a network of pores that are backfilled with a backfill material; and
(d) the apparatus is included in a kit comprising a chemical component that dissolves the backfill material.
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Abstract
The application of a highly controlled, micron-sized, branched, porous architecture to enhance the handling properties and degradation rate of hydrogels is described in the instant invention. A previously described pattern created through one-step nucleated crystallization in a hydrogel film creates tunable mechanical properties and/or chemical stability for use in tissue engineering applications. The bulk mechanical properties and the degradation rate of the material can be tuned easily by the addition or subtraction of crystalline structure or by the addition and subtraction of backfill material, making this useful for a variety of applications. Relevant mechanical properties that can be tuned through the application of this unique porosity are moduli, elasticity, tensile strength, and compression strength. The method of the present invention can be applied to biopolymers and natural materials as well as synthetic materials.
110 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid included in a hydrogel film; and crosslinked alginate included in the hydrogel; wherein (a) the alginate is crosslinked with calcium, (b) the alginate is crosslinked around the uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid, (c) the hyaluronic acid and the alginate are formed around a network of pores that are backfilled with a backfill material; and
(d) the apparatus is included in a kit comprising a chemical component that dissolves the backfill material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a hydrogel film having first and second opposing ends; uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid included in the hydrogel; crosslinked alginate included in the hydrogel; extending within the hydrogel; wherein (a) the alginate is crosslinked with calcium, (b) the alginate is crosslinked around the uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid, (c) the pores are backfilled with a backfill material, and (d) the backfill material is bound to at least one of the hyaluronic acid and the alginate. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus comprising:
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uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid included in a hydrogel film; and crosslinked alginate included in the hydrogel; wherein (a) the alginate is crosslinked with calcium, (b) the alginate is crosslinked around the uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid, (c) the hyaluronic acid and the alginate are formed around a network of pores that are backfilled with a backfill material; and
(d) the backfill material includes at least one of hyaluronic acid and alginate. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification