Natural polymer hydrogels and aerogels for biomedical applications
- Carmen Isabel Álvarez Lorenzo
- Carlos A. García González
- Ana Iglesias Mejuto
- Clara López Iglesias
- Víctor Santos Rosales
- Inés Ardao
Editorial: Elsevier
ISBN: 978-0-12-823135-7
Ano de publicación: 2024
Páxinas: 125-157
Tipo: Capítulo de libro
Resumo
Hydrogels and aerogels have advantageous properties for several biomedical diagnostics and therapeutic uses that are exploited or under research in medical devices and drug products. The source of the gels, their size and format, the crosslinking method used, as well as the responsiveness capacity to external stimuli determine the end properties of these materials and their potential uses in drug delivery, tissue engineering, or biomedical imaging and sensing. Namely, hydrogels and aerogels from natural polymers provide a broad portfolio of biocompatible materials for biomedical uses. In this chapter, the biomedical uses of natural polymer-based gels are introduced with a critical discussion of selected recent examples in the literature and in the market. Finally, future challenges and emerging topics in the field are also identified.