CHAPTER 10: Thermogelling Polymers: A Cutting Edge Rheology Modifier

Thermogels are stimuli-responsive soft materials which undergo sol–gel transition with temperature changes. The gel is fluid at room temperature and can be blended with therapeutics by mixing. The higher physiological temperature that a gel encounters upon injection results in gelation due to the presence of thermosensitive polymers. The degradation of the gel allows sustained release of therapeutics localized to the site of interest. Thermogel properties, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, biological functionalization, mechanical properties and the therapeutic release profile, can be fine-tuned via the substitution and modification of components in these diblock and triblock copolymer systems. This chapter examines the key concepts behind the technology development of these thermogels to successfully translate thermogels for therapeutic conveyance and tissue repair and replacement.