Description:
Executive Summary
The purpose of the invention is to produce a thermally sensitive hydrogel, which is a liquid at room temperature and solid at physiological temperature. The hydrogel can be injected at an injury site to deliver therapeutic agents.
Background
The products used currently in orthopedic surgery for delivery of protein are flimsy, collagen carriers that are little more than wet sponges. They provide little room for personalized medicine and the precise amount of protein delivered is difficult to quantitate. Chitosan thermogels used currently do not allow desirable tissue growth and cellular penetration in the area where it is delivered. Other materials used in research settings include non-degradable bone cement pastes loaded with proteins which are not acceptable in fracture healing situations and prefabricated polymeric scaffolds that do not match injury geometry with milling and grinding.
Invention Description
This is a thermally responsive hydrogel made from a composite of natural polymers. These materials are combined in a ratio such that the solution is a liquid at room temperature and a uniform solid gel at physiological temperature. Tailored doses of therapeutic agents are added to the material, which is easily injected via syringe to an injury site for delivery. In situ gelling allows the material to conform to the complex shapes of injuries.
Advantages
The invention offers the following advantages:
- Non-disruptive delivery at a specific injury site
- Natural polymer composite allows good tissue penetration
- Natural polymers are sustainable biomaterials
- Hydrogel comforms to injuries of complex geometry
- Allows personalized treatment with therapeutic agents
Applications
The application of this material is for tissue engineering, to provide a medium for tissue and cellular growth and to provide a carrier for delivery of therapeutic agents including proteins and other drugs.
