Three-dimensionally-patterned submicrometer-scale hydrogel/air networks that offer a new platform for biomedical applications.
Phase mask interference lithography was employed to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel structures with high surface area on neural prosthetic devices. A random terpolymer of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate- ran-methyl methacrylate- ran-methacrylic acid) was synthesized and used as a negative-tone photoresist to generate bicontinuous 3D hydrogel structures at the submicrometer scale. We demonstrated that the fully open 3D hydrogel/air networks can be used as a pH-responsive polymeric drug-release system for the delivery of neurotrophins to enhance the performance of neural prosthetic devices. Additionally an open hydrogel structure will provide direct access of neuronal growth to the device for improved electrical coupling.
Jang
Ji-Hyun
JH
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Jhaveri
Shalin J
SJ
Rasin
Boris
B
Koh
ChoengYang
C
Ober
Christopher K
CK
Thomas
Edwin L
EL
D000388:Air; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D046911:Macromolecular Substances