Biomedical applications of hydrogels: a review of patents and commercial products

Caló, E. and Khutoryanskiy, V. V. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7221-2630 (2015) Biomedical applications of hydrogels: a review of patents and commercial products. European Polymer Journal, 65. pp. 252-267. ISSN 0014-3057 doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.11.024

Abstract/Summary

Hydrogels have become very popular due to their unique properties such as high water content, softness, flexibility and biocompatibility. Natural and synthetic hydrophilic polymers can be physically or chemically cross-linked in order to produce hydrogels. Their resemblance to living tissue opens up many opportunities for applications in biomedical areas. Currently, hydrogels are used for manufacturing contact lenses, hygiene products, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems and wound dressings. This review provides an analysis of their main characteristics and biomedical applications. From Wichterle’s pioneering work to the most recent hydrogel-based inventions and products on the market, it provides the reader with a detailed introduction to the topic and perspective on further potential developments.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/38544
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.11.024
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) > Thermal Analysis (CAF) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Pharmaceutics Research Group
Uncontrolled Keywords	Hydrogels; Contact lenses; Drug delivery; Wound dressings; Biomaterials
Publisher	Elsevier
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