Poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel
First Claim
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1. A process for preparing a PVA construct comprising the steps of:
- pouring an aqueous PVA polymer mixture into a mold;
freezing and thawing said PVA polymer mixture within said mold at least once to create an interlocking mesh between PVA polymer molecules to create the PVA cryogel;
removing, at least partially, said PVA cryogel from said mold;
immersing said PVA cryogel in an aqueous solution; and
freezing and thawing said PVA cryogel at least once while immersed in water.
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Abstract
The present invention includes a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. A process in connection with the present invention eliminates any step involved with dehydration of the hydrogel prior to implantation thereof. The hydrogel construct may include a tissue scaffolding, a load bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.
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30 Claims
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1. A process for preparing a PVA construct comprising the steps of:
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pouring an aqueous PVA polymer mixture into a mold; freezing and thawing said PVA polymer mixture within said mold at least once to create an interlocking mesh between PVA polymer molecules to create the PVA cryogel; removing, at least partially, said PVA cryogel from said mold; immersing said PVA cryogel in an aqueous solution; and freezing and thawing said PVA cryogel at least once while immersed in water. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification