Shape-memory sponge hydrogel biomaterial
AssigneeClemson University
InventorsDan Simionescu, Jeremy J. Mercuri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrogel biomaterial that can be utilized as a nucleus pulposus replacement material is described. The hydrogel biomaterial can is an elastin-glycosaminoglycan-collagen composite hydrogel biomaterial that can mimic the biochemical and functional characteristics of the human nucleus pulposus. Methods for forming the hydrogel biomaterial are also described as are methods for use of the hydrogel biomaterial, one of which is as an in vivo nucleus pulposus replacement material, another of which is a scaffolding material for use in nucleus pulposus tissue engineering applications.
Claims10
A method for forming a hydrogel biomaterial comprising:
- combining collagen, soluble elastin, and at least one glycosaminoglycan to form a mixture;
- heating the mixture to form a gel;
- crosslinking the gel with a first crosslinking agent, the first crosslinking agent forming crosslinks between the collagen and the at least one glycosaminoglycan;
- crosslinking the gel with a second crosslinking agent, the second crosslinking agent stabilizing the soluble elastin;
- and
- degrading only a portion of the gel following crosslinking with the first and second crosslinking agents with one or more enzymes that target the at least one glycosaminoglycan to form the hydrogel biomaterial, the formed hydrogel, biomaterial exhibiting an equilibrium modulus of from about 3 kilopascals to about 10 kilopascals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.