Composite Hydrogel-Clay Particles

摘要

A nanocomposite hydrogel formed from free radical dissociation of an initiator and polymerisation of a water soluble monomer. The resulting hydrogel finds particular application within the medical field for both soft and hard tissue repair in human and animals. The hydrogel is particularly advantageous for spinal disc repair.

主权项

1. A method of preparing a composite hydrogel comprising:
preparing an aqueous suspension containing (i) dispersed clay particles, (ii) a water soluble monomer and (iii) a radical initiator capable of free radical disassociation to form a composite hydrogel precursor liquid (CHPL); dissociating the radial initiator to provide free radical polymerisation of the monomer at a temperature above a gelation temperature of a resulting aqueous polymer-clay precursor hydrogel (PCPH); maintaining the PCPH in a fluid phase above the gelation temperature; and reducing the temperature of the PCPH below its gelation temperature to provide a composite hydrogel.