POLYMER HYDROGEL: A new era

in Medical Science

Seminar by: Saurabh Bagal

Dept of Polymer Science & Technology
University of Calcutta
92,A.P.C. Road,Kolkata-700009
What is Hydrogel? Three dimensional network of
hydrophilic polymers held together by covalent bonds
or hydrogen or ionic bonds.

• Polymers which form hydrogels are- sodium poyacrylate,

poly(vinyl alcohol) etc.
 Polymer chains usually exist in the shape of randomly
coiled molecules.
Negative charges repel each other & Water molecules are attracted to (-)ve
polymer chain tend to uncoil. charge by hydrogen bonding
 Selection of monomer for formation of hydrogel :

• The monomer should be acidic or anionic, basic or cationic &

neutral. Neutral monomer contains- i> Hydrophilic part-
contributes to swelling. ii> Hydrophobic part- improves
mechanical strength.
 Classification of hydro gels :

Gum Pectin Starch

 Properties of hydro gel :
Water content & swelling
ratio :
Wt. of the water X 100
Water Content =
Wt. of the water + Wt. of dry gel
Wt. of the swollen gel
Swelling Ratio =
Wt. of the dry gel
Permeability :
• Permeability of target
molecules is of utmost
importance.
For instance, oxygen
permeation for contact
lens, releasing drugs &
proteins for drug delivery
system
 Applications of hydro gel in medical science :

1. Lubricants :-

Hydrogel coating have been applied to catheters to protect

urethra & form a hydrophilic lubricious surface.
 2. Contact lens :-
Original material for hydrogel contact lens- poly(2-hydroxy ethyl
methacrylate)or poly (HEMA)
 Contact lenses are mainly of two types :

Low water content High water content

• Advantages : i) Greater • Advantages : i) Better
tensile strength. comfort.
ii) Less breakage & longer ii) Faster adaptation &
life span. longer wearing time.
Disadvantages : i) Greater Disadvantages : i) Shorter
tendency to cause edema life span & greater fragility.
ii) Tendency to cause ii) More deposits,
vascularisation. especially white spots.
 3. For wound dressing :

• Hydrogel possesses all • Various hydrogel

the characteristics for
successful wound covering composites protect
material. wound against infection
4. As drug delivery system : Pluronic-PAA ,known as
smart hydrogel show unique characteristic of thermo
reversible gelation.

Network structure of Pluronic-PAA

 At body temp Pluronic-PAA forms hydrogel,so drug
molecule can pass through the hyrogel network at a
steady rate. It is also bio-adhesive, so it can be used to
deliver drug to a specific target site.
Hydrogels are used as An injectable chitosan-based
endoscopic injection of bulky hydrogel is used to form insitu
agents for treatment of stress an implant for orthopedic
urinary incontinence applications
5. For tissue engineering :
 Hyrogels promote cell growth &
The development of effective integrates with the surrounding
cartilage regeneration system tissue, so it is conviently
depends on- injectable.
 Conclusion
• Hydrogel can also acts as immobilized bio-
catalyst, immunoisolative barrier or
biomimetic actuators.
So hydrogel is marching towards a special
position in modern medical science.
Thank You