Journal
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
Volume 65, Issue -, Pages 252-267Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.11.024
Keywords
Hydrogels; Contact lenses; Drug delivery; Wound dressings; Biomaterials
Categories
Funding
- BBSRC [BB/FOF/PF/11/08, BB/FOF/289]
- University of Reading
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Hydrogels have become very popular due to their unique properties such as high water content, softness, flexibility and biocompatibility. Natural and synthetic hydrophilic polymers can be physically or chemically cross-linked in order to produce hydrogels. Their resemblance to living tissue opens up many opportunities for applications in biomedical areas. Currently, hydrogels are used for manufacturing contact lenses, hygiene products, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems and wound dressings. This review provides an analysis of their main characteristics and biomedical applications. From Wichterle's pioneering work to the most recent hydrogel-based inventions and products on the market, it provides the reader with a detailed introduction to the topic and perspective on further potential developments. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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