Hydrogels in the clinic: An update.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Hydrogels have been utilized in clinical settings since the late 1980s.
• Significant advancements in polymer chemistry and fabrication methods have spurred new hydrogel development.
• Previous reviews focused on injectable hydrogels; this work expands the scope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated overview of hydrogel advancements in clinical applications.
• To include both injectable and non-injectable hydrogels in the review.
• To highlight recently approved hydrogel products and ongoing clinical trials.

Main Methods:

• Review of recently published literature and clinical trial databases.
• Analysis of approved hydrogel products.
• Discussion of active clinical trials for topical and implantable hydrogels.

Main Results:

• Identification of new hydrogel products that have reached clinical studies.
• Summary of the current status of clinical trials for injectable hydrogels.
• Overview of active clinical trials involving topical and implantable hydrogels.

Conclusions:

• The field of clinical hydrogels continues to evolve rapidly with diverse applications.
• Both injectable and non-injectable hydrogels show significant promise in ongoing clinical investigations.
• Continued research and development are crucial for translating hydrogel innovations into widespread clinical use.