Combinatorial hydrogel formulation
OwnerMichael Cima, Sherri Colvin +4inventors
InventorsMichael Cima, Sherri Colvin, Colin Gardner, Javier Gonzalez-Zugasti, J. Gyory, Wendy Pryce-Lewis
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Abstract
The present invention concerns a method, apparatus (array assembly), and system for fabricating and formulating hydrogels using combinatorial techniques; a hydrogel array fabricated using the method, apparatus, and/or system of the invention; and methods and systems for testing the properties of arrayed hydrogels, such as bulk and interfacial mechanical properties.
Claims14
A method for fabricating combinatorial hydrogel arrays, comprising:
- (a) providing hydrogel components;
- (b) dispensing said hydrogel components into containers in order to create varying hydrogel chemistries with or without active ingredients;
- (c) mixing said hydrogel components to form a hydrogel precursor solution;
- (d) providing an array of containers where said hydrogel precursor solutions will be cured or polymerized;
- (e) transferring said hydrogel precursor solutions into said array of containers;
- and
- (f) polymerizing or curing said hydrogel precursor solutions in said containers, thereby forming hydrogels.
A method for testing properties of arrayed hydrogel samples, comprising:
- (a) providing an array of hydrogel samples, each of which is held in a container;
- (b) exposing said hydrogel samples to a condition;
- and
- (c) collecting and analyzing data obtained from one or more of said samples.
A method for testing the bulk and interfacial mechanical properties of arrayed hydrogel samples, comprising:
- (a) contacting a hydrogel sample with a test probe attached to a mechanical tester with a force transducer and load cell;
- (b) perturbing said hydrogel sample in tension, compression, or shear mode;
- and
- (c) measuring the resultant force and deflections over time.
A method for assessing the release characteristics of arrayed hydrogels, comprising:
- (a) providing an array of hydrogel samples containing active ingredients;
- (b) forming an array of receptor wells onto the exposed surface of said hydrogel samples;
- (c) dispensing an appropriate receptor solution into the receptor wells;
- (d) obtaining samples of the receptor solution in said receptor wells over time;
- and
- (e) analyzing the receptor solution samples to determine the concentration of said active ingredient released from the hydrogel over time.
A system for fabricating hydrogels, comprising:
- (a) a means for dispensing chemicals;
- (b) combinatorial dispensers;
- (c) means for mixing, heating, and/or maintaining samples at their processing temperature;
- (d) an array of wells or molds;
- (e) liquid handling equipment;
- and
- (f) an energy source.
A system for testing the mechanical bulk and interfacial properties of arrayed hydrogels, comprising:
- (a) a mechanical testing instrument that can perturb arrayed hydrogel samples in a controlled fashion and measure the resulting forces and deflections over time;
- (b) a test probe that couples the load cell of the testing instrument to the hydrogel sample;
- (c) an adhesive dispenser or fixture to apply an adhesive to bond the probe to the hydrogel samples, or to grip the hydrogel sample or to grip a part that has been bonded to the hydrogel sample;
- (d) a recording instrument to gather the results and control the sequence of each test;
- and
- (e) an environmental-control chamber that allows for temperature and/or humidity control while the samples are tested.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.