Described are high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hydrogel compositions comprising GAGs covalently crosslinked with a carbohydrate crosslinker, and methods of making the high molecular weight GAG hydrogel compositions. Further described are methods of using the high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hydrogel compositions for reparative or plastic surgery, esthetic dermatology, facial contouring, body contouring, and gingival augmentation.

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel comprising hyaluronic acid modified by serotonin, a use thereof, and a method of preparing the same.

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of hydrogels consisting of crosslinked glycosaminoglycans, which comprises: a) reacting at least one hybrid cooperative complex obtained by heating aqueous solutions of low- and high-molecular-weight glycosaminoglycans at 80-160° C. with a diepoxide as crosslinker in a ratio with the complex ranging between 0.1 and 1 equivalents, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 equivalents, the concentration by weight of the complex in the solution ranging between 1% and 15%, preferably between 2% and 10%; b) purifying by dialysis, ultrafiltration and diafiltration.

Disclosed are surgical hydrogels derived from the combination of chitosan derivative and aldehyde-derivatised dextran polymers in combination with a humectant for use as surgical wound packing materials or stents. Also disclosed are sterile kits comprising the precursor components of the surgical hydrogels. Also disclosed are methods of sterilizing the kits and individual components thereof for preparing the hydrogels.

A method for forming a chitin film is provided. The method includes the following steps. In a step (a), a chitin suspension is prepared by adding chitin to water. In a step (b), physical forces are provided to process the chitin suspension, so that a mean particle diameter of the chitin is reduced. In a step (c), the chitin suspension is applied to a target, and the chitin film is formed after the chitin suspension is dried.

Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a polymer film used for a biosensor. The polymer film has a three-dimensional network structure formed by a natural high-molecular polymer and a synthetic high-molecular polymer by a plurality of crosslinking modes. The three-dimensional network structure includes a chemically crosslinked network and a reversible physically crosslinked network, the chemically crosslinked network being formed by covalent bond crosslinking and the reversible physically crosslinked network being formed by ionic bond crosslinking. The chemically crosslinked network has covalent bond crosslinking between the synthetic high-molecular polymers and covalent bond crosslinking between the natural high-molecular polymer and the synthetic high-molecular polymer. The physically crosslinked network has ionic bond crosslinking between natural high-molecular polymers.

A photocrosslinkable hydrogel may comprise a radioisotope-labeled photocrosslinkable compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which may be used as a composition for radiotherapy, a composition for radiodiagnostic imaging and a composition for anticancer treatment. The hydrogel is excellent in staying in a local area requiring radiation treatment, so that it can be treated while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. In addition, it can be used in combination with an anticancer agent and used as a pharmaceutical composition for anticancer treatment, so that cancer can be effectively treated. The hydrogel can be manufactured on site immediately and conveniently using a portable microfluidic system, thereby maximizing the radiation treatment effect.

The present invention includes a hydrogel and a method of making a porous hydrogel by preparing an aqueous mixture of an uncrosslinked polymer and a crystallizable molecule; casting the mixture into a vessel; allowing the cast mixture to dry to form an amorphous hydrogel film; seeding the cast mixture with a seed crystal of the crystallizable molecule; growing the crystallizable molecule into a crystal structure within the uncrosslinked polymer; crosslinking the polymer around the crystal structure under conditions in which the crystal structure within the crosslinked polymer is maintained; and dissolving the crystals within the crosslinked polymer to form the porous hydrogel.

Microencapsulation methods are provided using encapsulant, fiber or film forming compositions of a cross-linkable anionic polymer, a multivalent cation salt, a chelating agent, and a volatile base. During the formation of this composition, the generally acidic chelating agent is titrated with a volatile base to an elevated pH to improve ion-binding capability. Multivalent cations are sequestered in cation-chelate complexes. Cross-linkable polymers in this solution will remain freely dissolved until some disruption of equilibrium induces the release of the free multivalent cations from the cation-chelate complex. Vaporization of the volatile base drops the pH of the solution causing the cation-chelate complexes to dissociate and liberate multivalent cations that associate with the anionic polymer to form a cross-linked matrix. During spray-drying, the formation of a wet particle, polymer cross-linking, and particle drying occur nearly simultaneously.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.