A Review of Hydrogels, Their Properties and Applications in Medicine

A hydrogel is a water-insoluble three-dimensional polymer network that has the ability to absorb body fluids in biological environment. Such formed through chemical crosslinking mechanisms such as optical polymerization, enzymatic reactions and physical temperature pH dependent processes ionic crosslinking. Physical hydrogels are weak secondary force by covalent forces. Various polymers of natural synthetic origin used make hydrogels. Swelling, mechanical properties among most important hydrogels, each which can affect structure morphology hydrogel. Due its similar extracellular matrix (ECM) water, hydrogen various medical applications tissue engineering, contact lenses, wound dressings, release therapeutic agents. Hydrogels, types their medicine discussed.