title: Hydrogel optimization towards fibroblast-friendly biomimetic coatings for implantable devices.
abstract: In this paper we present our investigations related to the optimization of hydrogels for the coating/packaging of biomedical devices. In order for hydrogels to be a viable interface/packaging material, a number of conditions must be met. We outline the tailoring of the mechanical properties of a HEMA based hydrogel by exploiting the influence of individual hydrogel components to achieve these requirements. The water sorption, the elasticity and the porosity of various hydrogel materials were tested and the effects of the different hydrogel components was determined. These components include gelatin (used as a pore generator or porogen), alginate (to influence mechanical properties) and collagen (to improve cell adhesion). We also report the results of in vitro fibroblast testing on various hydrogel types.
authors.affiliation: IMEC and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Alicia.SanchezLinde@imec.be
authors.forename: A Sanchez
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
authors.forename: M Op
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: de Beeck
authors.forename: H Pereira
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Hoof
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mertens
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate