An evaluation of the biocompatibility properties of a salt-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel for a knee meniscus
Jennifer C Hayes1, James E Kennedy1
1Centre for Industrial Services and Design, Athlone Institute of Technology, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
Abstract:
The treatment of irreparable knee meniscus tears remains a major challenge for the orthopaedic community. The main purpose of this research was to analyse the biocompatibility properties of a salt-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, in order to assess its potential for use as an artificial meniscal implant. Aqueous polyvinyl alcohol was treated with a sodium sulphate solution to precipitate out the polyvinyl alcohol resulting in a pliable hydrogel. Cytotoxicological analysis indicates that PVA/sodium sulphate hydrogels display a non-toxic disposition and were found to be compatible with the L929 fibroblast cell line.
