Dense hydrogels

Abstract

There is provided a method for preparing a dense hydrogel comprising an at least partially gelled hydrogel, placing the at least partially gelled hydrogel in fluid communication with an end of a capillary, and driving the at least partially gelled hydrogel into the capillary to form a dense hydrogel. There is also provided a system for preparing the dense hydrogel comprising a capillary having a bore; and a driver in communication with an end of the capillary for driving an at least partially gelled hydrogel into the bore of the capillary to form a dense hydrogel.

1 - 96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . A system for preparing a dense hydrogel, the system comprising:
 a capillary having a first open end, a second open end and a bore defined therebetween;   a driver in communication with the second open end of the capillary, the driver arranged to selectively exert:   a negative pressure to drive a hydrogel into the capillary to form a dense hydrogel in the capillary, and   a positive pressure to drive the dense hydrogel out of the capillary.   
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the driver is a manual or an automatic pump. 
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 97 , further comprising the hydrogel, the hydrogel being a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the hydrogel is selected from collagen, hyaluronan, chitosan, fibrin, gelatin, alginate, agarose, polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyacrylic acid, hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate, polyanhydrides, poly(propylene fumarate), and mixtures of the same. 
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the hydrogel is collagen type I. 
     
     
         102 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the first open end of the capillary can be brought into contact with the hydrogel. 
     
     
         103 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the hydrogel includes at least one bioactive agent. 
     
     
         104 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein the at least one bioactive agent is selected from cells, genes, drug molecules, therapeutic agents, particles, osteogenic agents, osteoconductive agents, osteoinductive agents, anti-inflammatory agents and growth factors. 
     
     
         105 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the first open end of the capillary has an internal diameter sufficient to eject a dense hydrogel which has a size and shape suitable for injection into a subject. 
     
     
         106 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the capillary has an internal diameter of about 0.1 to about 10 mm or about 0.1 to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         107 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the system is arranged to allow water removal from the hydrogel. 
     
     
         108 . The system of  claim 97 , further comprising a support for housing the hydrogel, the hydrogel having an upper face when in the support, the first open end of the capillary contactable with the upper face of the hydrogel in the support, wherein the upper face of the hydrogel in the support has a greater surface area than a surface area of the capillary first open end. 
     
     
         109 . The system of  claim 97 , further comprising a support for housing the hydrogel and a temperature control device to alter the temperature of the hydrogel in the support. 
     
     
         110 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the driver is arranged to apply a pressure of up to about 2 ATM. 
     
     
         111 . A system for preparing a dense hydrogel, the system comprising:
 a capillary with a first open end, a second open end and a bore defined therebetween;   a driver in communication with the second open end of the capillary, the driver arranged to exert a pressure differential to drive a hydrogel into the capillary to form a dense hydrogel in the capillary, the hydrogel comprising a solid component and a liquid component, wherein the system is arranged to allow removal of at least a portion of the liquid component to form the dense hydrogel in the capillary.   
     
     
         112 . A kit for preparing a dense hydrogel, the kit comprising the system of claim  1 , and the hydrogel in a support. 
     
     
         113 . The kit of  claim 112 , further comprising capillaries having different internal diameters.