Group 076-11: Modulating Hydrogel Structure for Therapeutic Release

During Week Three, we discussed and determined our therapeutic agent for the hydrogel module. After extensive research and comparison of our options, we decided the best-suited therapeutic would be zinc oxide. This substance fits our design so well because it is hydrophobic and will slowly disperse through the pores in the bottom hydrogel layer. Zinc oxide has been used in past hydrogel models and has been proven to be effective. It is an agent that has been used in ointments and supplements to treat burns and prevent infections. Likewise, the possibility of overdosing on zinc-oxide necessitates a solution for controlled therapeutic release. The predominant delivery system for zinc oxide is through medicinal cream, the delivery through which enables the therapeutic threshold of zinc oxide to be increased to levels of high toxicity. Symptoms of zinc-oxide overdose include: fever, chills, vomiting, mouth irritation, stomach pain, and yellowing of the eyes and skin. Consequently, the phar...

The objectives of the week two lab consisted of preparing for the construction of the therapeutic-infused hydrogel adhesive. As such, a bill of materials was devised to determine the requisite laboratory supplies. It was determined that chemical components and laboratory glassware would be required to conduct the precipitation reaction between calcium chloride and sodium alginate. As the therapeutic agent, to be injected into the hydrogel 'beads', has not yet been determined, a comparable placebo had not been established. Nonetheless, each team member is to conduct research to determine an appropriate therapeutic for the hydrogel adhesive before a comparable placebo may be determined. Research regarding a possible therapeutic agent is to be completed before the week three lab. Once a therapeutic agent is agreed upon, a placebo, of comparable physical properties, will be ordered. The week two activities were completed in preparation for the construction of a preliminary design ...

Figure 1: Diagram of preliminary design The culmination of the hydrogel modulation design will yield a hydrogel wound dressing utilized for the therapeutic treatment of first-degree and second-degree exterior burns. A physical prototype of the hydrogel wound dressing will be produced by precipitating food-grade sodium alginate in a calcium chloride solution. The reaction yields spheres of low-density gel surrounded by a thin gelatinous membrane. The construction of an alginate dressing necessitates ionic cross-linking of the alginate solution with calcium ions, as to form the gel component. Both the high-density and low- density hydrogel layers will be generated in unison, before undergoing the freeze-drying process as to produce porous sheets. The physical prototype will be accompanied by a computer generated model of the hydrogel wound dressing, as evidenced in figure 1. The required components to construct the hydrogel adhesive were determined and subsequently purchased. The r...