Hydrogel-based commercial products for biomedical applications: A review
Sara Cascone1, Gaetano Lamberti1
1Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|November 5, 2019
Summary
Hydrogels, water-absorbing polymer networks, are widely used in biomedical applications like drug delivery and wound care. This review analyzes commercially available hydrogel products, detailing their properties and uses.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer networks capable of absorbing significant amounts of water, exhibiting diverse material properties.
- First utilized in the 1960s, hydrogels have since found extensive applications across various biomedical fields.
- Numerous hydrogel-based products are currently available commercially, offering a wide range of features for different medical purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an extensive analysis of hydrogel-based materials that have achieved market maturity for biomedical applications.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of commercially available hydrogel products, despite the vast number of existing options.
- To classify and describe hydrogel materials based on their chemical nature and application requirements.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and analysis of commercially available hydrogel products.
- Classification of hydrogel materials based on their chemical composition and intended biomedical application.
- Detailed reporting of commercial product names, manufacturers, chemical nature, and key characteristics.
Main Results:
- Identification and description of hydrogel-based materials utilized in drug delivery, wound dressings, tissue engineering, contact lenses, and hygiene products.
- Presentation of a detailed snapshot of hydrogel products that have reached commercial maturity.
- Categorization of materials according to their chemical nature for each application class.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogels represent a versatile class of materials with established commercial success in numerous biomedical applications.
- The review provides valuable insights into the current landscape of commercial hydrogel products, aiding in material selection and development.
- Understanding the requirements for different applications and the chemical basis of hydrogel materials is crucial for their effective utilization.
