CHARGED OLIGO(POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL) FUMARATE) HYDROGELS FOR NERVE GROWTH

摘要

A biodegradable material for improving the regeneration of nerve cells is disclosed. The material includes a copolymer formed by reacting a first reactant selected from monomers, oligomers and polymers and a second charged reactant selected from charged monomers, charged oligomers and charged polymers. Nerve cells are contained within or attracted to the copolymer. The first reactant can be oligo(poly( ethylene glycol) fumarate). The charged reactant can be selected from unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds. The material can include a photoinitiator such that the material is photocrosslinkable. The material can include a bioactive agent such as a nerve growth factor. In one form, the material is a hydrogel that can be injected as a fluid into a patient's body via minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to form a scaffold for nerve tissue regeneration.