Hydrolytically Degradable Micellar Hydrogels
AssigneeUniversity of South Carolina
InventorEsmaiel Jabbari
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Abstract
Degradable and biologically inert hydrogel networks are described. The hydrogel networks are crosslinked and based on a biocompatible polymer that is chain extended with hydrophobic segments that include no more than 5 hydrophobic monomers to form a macromonomer that is then crosslinked to form a network that includes individual micelles throughout the crosslinked network. The hydrophobic segments of the macromonomer as well as other potentially toxic materials such as crosslink initiators can be sequestered in the micelles to better control degradation characteristics of the network as well as prevent toxicity to developing cellular structures of the network.
Claims30
A biocompatible hydrogel network comprising:
- a crosslinked macromonomer, the macromonomer including a biocompatible polymer and a hydrophobic segment at the termini of the biocompatible polymer, the hydrophobic segment including no more than 5 hydrophobic monomers;
- wherein
- the hydrogel network comprises a micelle that includes a core and comprises the crosslinked macromonomer such that the hydrophobic segment is sequestered in the core of the micelle.
A method for forming a biocompatible hydrogel network comprising:
- extending a chain of a biocompatible polymer with a hydrophobic segment to form a macromonomer, the hydrophobic segment comprising no more than 5 hydrophobic monomers;
- crosslinking the macromonomer to form the hydrogel network, the crosslinked macromonomer forming a micelle that includes a core, the hydrophobic segment being sequestered in the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.