035 Irradiation process for Hydrogels matrices: Physical Properties of a New Generation of Hydrogels and Biomedical Applications
Xavier Bourges1 (corresponding author), Serge Baroth1, Guy Daculsi2, Sophie Rouif3:
1Biomatlante, 5 rue Edouard Belin, ZA des 4 Nations, 44360 Vigneux de Bretagne France :
2Inserm U791, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042 Nantes, France :
3Ionisos, Z.I. Les Chartinières, 01120 Dagneux, France
E-Mail: sophie.rouif@ionisos.fr
Abstract
To obtain hydrogels, two methods can be used; the first one using a chemical cross linking agent. The second method is irradiation that induces combination of free radicals.
When hydrogels are used in biomedical applications, irradiation presents several advantages: direct sterilization of the product, synthesis of a pure product, uncontaminated with ballast materials or residual toxic initiators.
The presentation will review the applications of irradiated hydrogels (cell culture matrices, wound dressings, drug delivery systems, contact lenses or healing scaffold, spinal disc prosthesis) and will focus on a new generation of hydrogels dedicated to the development of a new bone substitute concept.
We will present the results of the characterization of HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose)-based hydrogels obtained by cross linking various concentrations of HPMC with other polymers, under different doses of EB radiation. The homogeneity of the hydrogel has been studied as far as the gel fraction (e.g the cross linking fraction of polymer), the swelling rate on the wet product, the polymer modification and the in vitro-biocompatibility.
We will conclude that this new generation of hydrogels shows some promising properties required for new medical devices and tissue engineering development. In particular, a new bone substitute can be produced by using this hydrogel network to retain Biphasic Calcium Phosphate granules.
Key words: hydrogel, biomedical, radiation cross linking, bone substitute