DOUBLE-LAYERED HYDROGELS BASED ON COMPONENTS OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX AND POLYSACCHARIDES USED IN OSTEOCHONDRAL HEALING

摘要

The invention relates to a hydrogel meant to be used in treating osteochondral defects and to a process for preparing the same. According to the invention, the hydrogel consists of two overlapping layers: a bone layer consisting of type I collagen, chitosan and tricalcium phosphate and a superficial cartilaginous layer consisting of type II collagen, alginate and chondroitin sulphate. The process, as claimed by the invention, consists in carrying out the cartilaginous layer and the bone layer as hydrogel and overlapping them in equal amounts, to result in a biocompatible sterile double-layered hydrogel.