Hydrogel compositions for direct-write printing applications
US9868870B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09D11/38
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermo-responsive shear-thinning photo-curable composition comprises water, a linear amphiphilic polyether ABA triblock copolymer comprising at least one pendent ene group (*—CH═CH2) capable of undergoing a thiol-ene reaction, a water-soluble crosslinking agent comprising two or more methylenethiol groups (*—CH2SH), and a photoinitiator. Under non-shear conditions and a triblock copolymer concentration suitable for direct-write printing, the composition is a viscoelastic solid (hydrogel) at a temperature of about 15° C. to about 45° C., and is a free-flowing liquid (sol) between 0° C. and about 10° C. The hydrogel form can be shear-thinned at about 15° C. to about 45° C. to form a sol suitable for a direct-write printer using an extruding print-head. The compositions covalently crosslink when flood-exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The compositions have utility in forming three-dimensional scaffolds for growing living cells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.