University of North Texas

The University of Texas System

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Zhibing Hu

Kevin D Nelson

Andres A Romero-Sanchez

George M Smith

Nadir Alikacem

Delia Radulescu

Paula Waggoner

Yong Li

Xiaomin Zhang

Xiaohu Xia

Tong Cai

Manuel Marquez

Liping Tang

Jun Gao

Shijun Tang

Gang Huang

Bo Zhou

Jun Zhou

Xihua Lu

An aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles and methods of making the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles having an interpenetrating polymer network ('IPN') are described. The uniformed sized mono-disperse IPN nanoparticles have inverse thermo gelation properties that allow therapeutic medications to be uniformly distributed in a liquid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles. Such medications can then be released from a solid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles in time dependant manor. 

Aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles with inverse thermoreversible gelation

The compositions of hydrogel colloidal crystals are made from mixing an aqueous suspension of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide ('PNIPAM')-co-allylamine microgels with dichloromethane, forming a PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture. The PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture is incubated for a period of time at a given temperature, forming the colloidal crystal material. The colloidal crystals can be stabilized by diffusing a glutaric dialdehyde solution into the colloidal crystal material. The concentration of polymer matrix microgels can determine the orientation of random or columnar crystals.

Synthesis of columnar hydrogel colloidal crystals in water-organic solvent mixture

A method for synthesizing uniformly sized hyaluronic acid ('HA') particles that are substantially free from oil and surfactant contaminants. The method comprises crosslinking HA chains with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethlyaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride ('EDAC') and adipic acid dihydrazide in a water/acetone mixture.

Process for synthesizing oil and surfactant-free hyaluronic acid nanoparticles and microparticles

The invention provides tissue engineering compositions and methods wherein three-dimensional matrices for growing cells are prepared for in vitro and in vivo use. The matrices comprise biodegradable polymer fibers capable of the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The spatial and temporal distribution of released therapeutic agents is controlled by use of defined nonhomogeneous patterns of therapeutic agents in the matrices.

Fabrication of drug loaded biodegradable polymer fibers

A method is disclosed for creating hydrogels with ordered crystalline structures that exhibit a characteristic colored opalescence. In addition to the unique optical properties, these materials contain a large amount of water in their crosslinked networks. The manufacturing processes include synthesizing monodispersed hydrogel nanoparticles containing specific reactive functional groups, self-assembly of these particles to form a crystalline structure, and subsequent crosslinking neighboring spheres to stabilize the entire network. Polymerizing a hydrogel monomeric composition around the crystalline structure can enhance the mechanical strength. The resulting network is dimensionally and thermodynamically stabile under various pH and temperature conditions. The color and volume of these crystalline hydrogel networks can reversibly change in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pH and other environmental conditions. These new materials may lead to a variety of technological and artistic applications, ranging from sensors, displays, controlled drug delivery devices, jewelry and decorative consumer products.

Synthesis, uses and compositions of crystal hydrogels

Drug releasing biodegradable fiber implant

Disclosed is a heterogeneous polymer gel comprising at least two gel networks. One embodiment of the present invention concerns a heterogeneous polymer gel comprising a first gel network comprising an environmentally-stable gel and a second gel network comprising an environmentally-unstable gel wherein the first gel network interpenetrates the second gel network. The heterogeneous polymer gel exhibits controlled changes in volume in response to environmental changes in condition, such as of temperature or of chemical composition.

Synthesis and use of heterogeneous polymer gels

Growing community of inventors

Denton, TX, United States of America

Zhibing Hu