Microporous hydrogels

US10688469B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel · DE

Inventors

• Christine Selhuber-Unkel · Kiel, DE
• Iris Hölken · Schönkirchen, DE
• Sören Björn Gutekunst · Schifferstadt, DE
• Rainer Adelung · Kiel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 6, 2016
• Grant date: Jun 23, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 25, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08J2371/02
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a porous hydrogel matrix having substantially interconnected tunnel-shaped micropores with a three-dimensional configuration of an interconnected hollow tetrapod network. Such matrices may be used to entrap motile cells that migrate into the micropores of said matrix. The matrices of the invention are formed by a method comprising the steps of providing a solution of a hydrogel-forming material, providing a template material with a three-dimensional configuration corresponding to the negative configuration of the desired interconnected porous structure of the hydrogel material, said template material comprising interconnected zinc oxide tetrapod (t-ZnO) networks, casting the solution of hydrogel-forming material onto the template and removing the template material from the hydrogel material by acid hydrolysis of the template material.