Biomedical Hydrogels

Hydrogels are very important for biomedical applications because they can be chemically manipulated to alter and control the hydrogel’s interaction with cells and tissues. Their flexibility and high water content is similar to that of natural tissue, making them extremely suitable for biomaterials applications. Biomedical hydrogels explores the diverse range and use of hydrogels, focusing on processing methods and novel applications in the field of implants and prostheses. Part one of this book concentrates on the processing of hydrogels, covering hydrogel swelling behaviour, superabsorbent cellulose-based hydrogels and regulation of novel hydrogel products, as well as chapters focusing on the structure and properties of hydrogels and different fabrication technologies. Part two covers existing and novel applications of hydrogels, including chapters on spinal disc and cartilage replacement implants, hydrogels for ophthalmic prostheses and hydrogels for wound healing applications. The role of hydrogels in imaging implants in situ is also discussed. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Biomedical hydrogels is an excellent reference for biomedical research scientists and engineers in industry and academia, as well as others involved in research in this area, such as research clinicians. Examines the diverse range and use of hydrogels, focusing on processing methods and novel applications Comprehensive book explores the structure and properties of hydrogels and different fabrication technologies Covers important areas such as processing of hydrogels, covering hydrogel swelling behaviour, superabsorbent cellulose-based hydrogels and regulation of novel hydrogel products

Hydrogels are networks of polymer chains which can produce a colloidal gel containing over 99 per cent water. The superabsorbency and permeability of naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogels give this class of materials an amazing array of uses. These uses range from wound dressings and skin grafts to oxygen-permeable contact lenses to biodegradable delivery systems for drugs or pesticides and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Biomedical Applications of Hydrogels Handbook provides a comprehensive description of this diverse class of materials, covering both synthesis and properties and a broad range of research and commercial applications. The Handbook is divided into four sections: Stimuli-Sensitive Hydrogels, Hydrogels for Drug Delivery, Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering, and Hydrogels with Unique Properties. Key Features: Provides comprehensive coverage of the basic science and applications of a diverse class of materials Includes both naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogels Edited and written by world leaders in the field.

This book reviews the current knowledge on tunable hydrogels, including the range of different materials and applications, as well as the existing challenges and limitations in the field. It covers various aspects of the material design, particularly highlighting biological responsiveness, degradability and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this book, readers will discover original research data and state-of-the-art reviews in the area of hydrogel technology, with a specific focus on biotechnology and medicine. Written by leading experts, the contributions outline strategies for designing tunable hydrogels and offer a detailed evaluation of the physical and synthetic methods currently employed to achieve specific hydrogel properties and responsiveness. This highly informative book provides important theoretical and practical insights for scholars and researchers working with hydrogels for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Hydrogels are an emerging area of interest in medicine as well as pharmaceutics, and their physico-chemical characterization is fundamental to their practical applications. Compared with synthetic polymers, polysaccharides that are widely present in living organisms and come from renewable sources are extremely advantageous for hydrogel formation. Furthermore, polysaccharides are usually non-toxic and biocompatible and show a number of peculiar physico-chemical properties that make them suitable for a wide variety of biomedical applications. This book bridges the gap between the preparation of hydrogels and their characterization techniques. It aims to offer a valid support that can help the readers find appropriate keys to open the doors to the complex world of polysaccharide hydrogels.

Maintaining quality of life in an ageing population is one of the great challenges of the 21st Century. This book summarises how this challenge is being met by multi-disciplinary developments of specialty biomaterials, devices, artificial organs and in-vitro growth of human cells as tissue engineered constructs. Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering is intended for use as a textbook in a one semester course for upper level BS, MS and Meng students. The 25 chapters are organized in five parts: Part one provides an introduction to living and man-made materials for the non-specialist; Part two is an overview of clinical applications of various biomaterials and devices; Part three summarises the bioengineering principles, materials and designs used in artificial organs; Part four presents the concepts, cell techniques, scaffold materials and applications of tissue engineering; Part five provides an overview of the complex socio-economic factors involved in technology based healthcare, including regulatory controls, technology transfer processes and ethical issues. Comprehensive introduction to living and man-made materials Looks at clinical applications of various biomaterials and devices Bioengineering principles, materials and designs used in artificial organs are summarised

Hydrogels, as three-dimensional polymer networks, are able to retain a large amount of water in their swollen state. The biomedical application of hydrogels was initially hampered by the toxicity of cross-linking agents and the limitations of hydrogel formation under physiological conditions. However, emerging knowledge in polymer chemistry and an increased understanding of biological processes have resulted in the design of versatile materials and minimally invasive therapies.The novel but challenging properties of hydrogels are attracting the attention of researchers in the biological, medical, and pharmaceutical fields. In the last few years, new methods have been developed for the preparation of hydrophilic polymers and hydrogels, which may be used in future biomedical and drug delivery applications. Such efforts include the synthesis of self-organized nanostructures based on triblock copolymers with applications in controlled drug delivery. These hydrogels could be used as carriers for drug delivery when combined with the techniques of drug imprinting and subsequent release. Engineered protein hydrogels have many potential advantages. They are excellent biomaterials and biodegradables. Furthermore, they could encapsulate drugs and be used in injectable forms to replace surgery, to repair damaged cartilage, in regenerative medicine, or in tissue engineering. Also, they have potential applications in gene therapy, although this field is relatively new.

Materials for Biomedical Engineering: Hydrogels and Polymer-Based Scaffolds discusses the use of a wide variety of hydrogels as bioactive scaffolds in regenerative medicine, including updates on innovative materials and their properties. Various types of currently investigated scaffolding materials and hydrogels are discussed, as is their future roles and applications, the main techniques for scaffold fabrication, and their characterization procedures. Readers will be able to use this book as a guide for the selection of the best materials for a specific application. Provides a valuable resource of recent scientific progress, highlighting the most well-known applications of hydrogels as bioactive scaffolds in regenerative medicine Includes novel opportunities and ideas for developing or improving technologies in biomaterials, and in related biomedical industries Features at least 50% of references from the last 2-3 years

With its content taken from only the very latest results, this is an extensive summary of the various polymeric materials used for biomedical applications. Following an introduction listing various functional polymers, including conductive, biocompatible and conjugated polymers, the book goes on to discuss different synthetic polymers that can be used, for example, as hydrogels, biochemical sensors, functional surfaces, and natural degradable materials. Throughout, the focus is on applications, with worked examples for training purposes as well as case studies included. The whole is rounded off with a look at future trends.