Synthetic hydrogel composite
Cellulose-reinforced hydrogels may include a cellulose nanofiber network and an interstitial hydrogel portion within interstitial regions of the cellulose nanofiber network, the interstitial hydrogel portion comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), wherein the hydrogel component has a crystallinity of 20% or greater.
1. An articular cartilage implant, comprising:
an implant body having a top bearing surface;
an anchoring base; and
a cellulose-reinforced hydrogel comprising:
a cross-linked cellulose nanofiber network secured over the top bearing surface of the implant body; and
an interstitial hydrogel portion infiltrated within interstitial regions of the cross-linked cellulose nanofiber network,
wherein the interstitial hydrogel portion is annealed such that a crystalline content of the annealed interstitial hydrogel portion has a crystallinity of 20% or greater,
wherein the cellulose-reinforced hydrogel comprises at least 20% by weight of water,
wherein the cellulose-reinforced hydrogel has a tensile strength exceeding 40 MPa,
wherein the cross-linked cellulose nanofiber network comprises bacterial cellulose (BC).
2. The articular cartilage implant of claim 1 , wherein the interstitial hydrogel portion comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
3. The articular cartilage implant of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked cellulose nanofiber network is chemically cross-linked.
4. The articular cartilage implant of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-reinforced hydrogel has a compressive strength exceeding 59 MPa.
5. The articular cartilage implant of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked cellulose nanofiber network is secured over the top bearing surface by a clamp.
6. The articular cartilage implant of claim 5 , wherein the cross-linked cellulose nanofiber network comprises one or more sheets of bacterial cellulose (BC) held over the top bearing surface by a clamp secured to a lip or rim of the top bearing surface.
7. The articular cartilage implant of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-reinforced hydrogel is attached to a metallic base of the top bearing surface with a shear strength exceeding 0.2 MPa.
8. The articular cartilage implant of claim 1 , wherein the top bearing surface has a coefficient of friction (COF) that is not statistically greater than that of cartilage.