Biomedical applications of magnetic hydrogels

Abstract

Hydrogels are used in biomedical applications thanks to their high-water content, porosity, and their ability to easily modify their properties (mechanical, chemical, microstructure, etc.). Hydrogels are the materials that most resemble the extracellular matrix of mammals. In recent years, magnetic hydrogels have become especially important. These are the result of combining magnetic nanoparticles with different hydrogel matrices. Among its properties, they have the ability to be remotely controlled modifying their physical properties, such as stability, stiffness and temperature (magnetic hyperthermia). Such unique characteristics make magnetic hydrogels very promising in biomedical applications such as, tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and cancer therapy. At this respect, this chapter focuses on the main biomedical applications of magnetic hydrogels and the most important discoveries on the subject.

Dual-Cross-Linked Superparamagnetic Hydrogels with Tailored Viscoelasticity for Soft Robotics

“…Consequently, the MagGel exhibit heightened resistance to deformation and bolstered mechanical robustness. This underscores the efficacy of FT cycling as a viable strategy for augmenting hydrogel performance across diverse applications …”

“…Further, Figure provides a comprehensive comparison of the MR effects across various types of MagGels. The MR effect, denoting the relative increase in G ′ under a magnetic field (H) compared to G ′ at zero field (H = 0), serves as a crucial indicator of the MagGels responsiveness to magnetic fields. , To evaluate the MR effect, G ′ values were measured for all samples under a fixed shear strain amplitude of 5% and an angular frequency of 10 Hz. Measurements were conducted over a range of increasing magnetic fields from 0 to 200 kA/m with additional measurements taken without a magnetic field.…”

“…This underscores the efficacy of FT cycling as a viable strategy for augmenting hydrogel performance across diverse applications. 70 Further, Figure 6 provides a comprehensive comparison of the MR effects across various types of MagGels. The MR effect, denoting the relative increase in G′ under a magnetic field (H) compared to G′ at zero field (H = 0), serves as a crucial indicator of the MagGels responsiveness to magnetic fields.…”

Injectable Magnetic-Responsive Short-Peptide Supramolecular Hydrogels: Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation

“…In this connection, magnetic hydrogels have been used as pulsatile drug delivery vehicles 35 and in tissue engineering for magnetomechanical stimulation of different cell lines, 36 , 37 among other applications. 38 − 41 …”

“…Moreover, the mechanical or physical properties can be controlled remotelya feature that makes these materials compatible with in vivo applications. In this connection, magnetic hydrogels have been used as pulsatile drug delivery vehicles and in tissue engineering for magnetomechanical stimulation of different cell lines, , among other applications. − …”