pH-induced silk gels and uses thereof
US8501172B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/857
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention provides for compositions, methods and devices for rapidly converting silk fibroin solution into a silk fibroin gel using direct application of voltage, in a process called electrogelation. The silk fibroin gel may be reversibly converted back to liquid form by applying reverse voltage or may be converted further to β-sheet structure by applying shear force or other treatments. The electrogelated silk may be used as an extracted bulk gel, spray or stream of gel for processing into materials or devices, or may be used as silk gel coating to devices. Active agents may be embedded in the silk gel for various medical applications. This invention also provides for methods and compositions for preparing adhesive silk pH-gels. For example, the method comprises reducing pH level of a silk fibroin solution to increase the bulk or local proton concentration of the silk fibroin solution, thereby forming adhesive silk gels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.