Macroporous Hydrogels

These materials were developed by CIBA Vision and research partners as corneal implants that support cell growth and attachment without a coating. Necessary for that purpose, the materials are transparent in water and have high protein permeability. The materials have excellent tissue ingrowth without the need for adhesion-promoting peptides, e.g. -RGD and tissue interaction can be modulated by copolymerization with appropriate monomers.

The porosity of the materials is tunable and the topography ranges from a rough coral-like structure (Figure B) to smoother planar material (Figure A). The surface topography and permeability can be independently controlled. The material was biostable up to 2 years in subcutaneous sheep implant. The material has high oxygen permeability-134 DK at 50% water content and a void volume ranging from 15-60% to maintain protein permeability.

Figure A.

Figure B.

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