title: Fundamental studies of biodegradable hydrogels as cartilage replacement materials.
abstract: Through intelligent control of monomer chemistry and gelling techniques, biodegradable hydrogels with a range of mechanical strengths and degradation timescales have been constructed. A diacrylated, copoly(ethylene glycol-b-dl-lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA) macromer was used to produce synthetic networks with equilibrium water contents (EWC) above 70% and initial compressive moduli values exceeding 1 MPa, demonstrating its viability as a cartilage replacement material. Experiments have shown that the mechanical strengths, EWCs, and useful lifetimes of these water-swellable networks are coupled to their copolymer chemistry as well as their processing conditions. A systematic study utilizing photopolymerized gels has been undertaken to elucidate the controlling factors behind the bulk-degradation process, as well as monitor changes in network structure with degradation. A statistical model will be used in conjunction with the experimental data to explain the exponential modulus decay and complex mass loss behavior observed during degradation for these hydrogels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0424, USA.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Metters
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Anseth
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Bowman
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D002356:Cartilage; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols