Characterization of the physicochemical, antimicrobial, and drug release properties of thermoresponsive hydrogel copolymers designed for medical device applications

In this study, a series of hydrogels was synthesized by free radical polymerization, namely poly(2‐(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate) (pHEMA), poly(4‐(hydroxybutyl)methacrylate) (pHBMA), poly(6‐(hydroxyhexyl)methacrylate) (pHHMA), and copolymers composed of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAA), methacrylic acid (MA), NIPAA, and the above monomers. The surface, mechanical, and swelling properties (at 20 and 37°C, pH 6) of the polymers were determined using dynamic contact angle analysis, tensile analysis, and thermogravimetry, respectively. The Tg and lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) were determined using modulated DSC and oscillatory rheometry, respectively. Drug loading of the hydrogels with chlorhexidine diacetate was performed by immersion in a drug solution at 20°C ( 8 reduction in viability of Staphylococcus epidermidis in 15 min), was associated with poly(NIPAA‐co‐HEMA, 1:1). It is suggested that the pulsatile drug release and favorable antimicrobial and mechanical properties of candidate hydrogels, particularly poly(HEMA‐co‐NIPAA), offer promise as thermoresponsive, antimicrobial biomaterials that may be used as wound dressings, medical implants, or coatings of medical devices. Furthermore, it is suggested that drug loading may be effectively performed in situ by lowering the temperature of the device/dressing.