2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA): Chemical Properties and Applications in Biomedical Fields

A correlation is established between the mesh size of a swollen cross-linked network and its equilibrium polymer volume fraction, for hydrogels isothermally swollen up to semidilute, dilute, or concentrated conditions. The exponent of this correlation decreases as the water concentration of the hydrogel decreases. Experimental results with hydrogels of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) are used to verify the new scaling laws.

The in vitro interaction of human endothelial cells (HEC) and polymers with different wettabilities in culture medium containing serum was investigated. Optimal adhesion of HEC generally occurred onto moderately wettable polymers. Within a series of cellulose type of polymers the cell adhesion increased with increasing contact angle of the polymer surfaces. Proliferation of HEC occurred when adhesion was followed by progressive flattening of the cells. Our results suggest that moderately wettable polymers exhibit a serum and/or cellular protein adsorption pattern that is favourable for growth of HEC.