Patent ID: 6872387
Filing Date: 2005-03-29
Classification: A61K,C12N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising the steps of: mixing an alginate salt and a source of calcium ions to provide a mixture; adding a calcium releasing compound to the mixture to provide a three-dimensional crosslinked hydrogel system; and selectively controlling shrinking, swelling or maintaining of the hydrogel system by varying a calcium ion concentration of a separate medium into which the hydrogel system is introduced; wherein the hydrogel system swells at calcium ion concentrations in the medium between about 0.0005 M and about 0.0010 M; wherein the hydrogel system shrinks at a calcium ion concentration in the medium of about 0.0040 M; and wherein the hydrogel system remains substantially the same size at calcium ion concentrations in the medium between about 0.0020 M and about 0.0030 M.