Abstract
To enhance the drug uptake and release capacity of silicone rubber (SR), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) hydrogel particles have been incorporated into a SR membrane. The NIPA particles were thoroughly blended with uncured SR with a certain ratio at room temperature. The mixture was then cast in a Petri dish to 1 mm thickness and cured 10 hours at 90°C. The SR/NIPA composite gel can absorb water approximately equal to its dry weight. Brilliant blue, used as a mock drug, was loaded into the composite gel. Drug release increased exponentially to a final value that is temperature dependent: low at T> =34°C, and high at T< 34°C. This finding is because the hydrophobicity of NIPA changes with temperature. Pulsed release in response to temperature switching between 20 and 39°C has been achieved. Drug uptake and release capability strongly depends upon the structure of the composite gel. The optimal range of NIPA composition is between 75 and 87% by volume. In the cited range, the NIPA particles form an interconnected network that provides a channel for diffusion of drug solution. The SR/NIPA composite gel has promising attributes as a wound dressing and other uses.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 431-434 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | ASAIO Journal |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Bioengineering
- Biomaterials
- Biomedical Engineering