Hydrogel Market Opening new Vistas in Personalized Healthcare

Hydrogel—a versatile material & Potential Applications

Hydrogels—the first biomaterials developed for human use—are water-swollen polymeric materials having myriad uses. They are used in making various hygiene products such as baby diapers, sanitary pads, adult incontinence pads, and soft contact lenses, wound-care dressings and a range of everyday products such as soft contact lenses, hair gel, toothpaste, and plant water crystals. The multi-functionality of the versatile material is due to many inherent structural features: ability to maintain distinct three-dimensional structure, retain high water content (approximately 90%) within its structure, permeable and allowing superb solute transport; in addition, they can be viscoelastic and lubricious. The amazing superb absorption property is due to various chemical cross-linkages of hydrophilic polymer chains; these chains are either chemically synthesized or derived from some natural polymer. They can be made from proteins, such as collagen and gelatin, or polysaccharides, such as starch, agarose, and alginate. 

Hydrogel Market Drivers & Growth Opportunities 

Characterized to meet the demand of a wide spectrum of functions, hydrogel market has immense growth potential. As per a recent report by Allied Market Research titled “World Hydrogel Market - Opportunities and Forecasts, 2015 – 2022”, the hydrogel market is estimated to garner $ 27.2 billion by 2022, globally, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2016 to 2022.

The market is driven by increased adoption of hydrogel products for various applications, immense benefits of hydrogel over conventional substitutes, product-focused R&D activities by key market players, and rising demand for hydrogel-based products across emerging countries. 

Materials scientists are researching on tweaking and modifying some of the characteristic property of natural and synthetic hydrogels to make innovative hybrid biomaterials and smart healthcare products. Novel approaches by researchers in hydrogel design has led to substantial enhancement in mechanical and chemical properties. These have led to the development of high-end hydrogel dressings and smart materials that can mimic biological tissues and functions. 

Recent Researches in hydrogel market Lead to Advanced Wound Care Products

Last year, researchers from MIT has announced the creation of a set of "tough hydrogels" that can contain70-95% water and exhibit a range of unique mechanical properties: highly stretchable and transparent. Reckoned as smart “Band-Aids”, they act as unique sensors that can sense temperatures at different locations on human skin. To enhance the capability, scientists have incorporated additional features, such as make pathways in the material matrix by inserting tubes through drilling tiny holes, which helps in the calibrated and sustained drug release. 

A range of electronic components such as titanium wires and semiconductor chips are used to make enhancements, which will change the texture, sensitivity and mechanical capability of the material resulting in new smart wound dressing products in the healthcare market. As researchers confer, the advanced hydrogel materials have potential application in treating burns and other dermatological conditions. Suitable customization of the smart dressing can be had by putting sensors at specific locations; the current smart bandage can be programmed by physicians to decide the type and dose of drugs delivered. Researchers further add that the smart wound dressing would be affordable. 

Various researches in developing the properties of hydrogel as biomaterial open up new vistas in personalized healthcare, particularly in targeting tumors in individualized cancer treatment. Recently, scientists in Australia created a hydrogel that can mimic the firmness of human cartilage and softness of tissue, allowing various drugs to be tested against tumor samples for efficacy in potential cancer treatment. New 3D printable material can be created in just couple of weeks and when infused with cells from a patient's tumor, is capable of testing several drugs simultaneously. Easily reproduced and allowing for testing of different combinations of cancer drugs, the scientists consider this a breakthrough.

Way Forward: Some Insights
The Hydrogel Market is witnessing immense potential in the applications of tissue engineering. 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs is fast gaining popularity across healthcare sector. The application is constrained by the design of a suitable scaffold and Polymers, such as alginate and fibrin hydrogel materials, have been used in cell-based direct biofabrication techniques, which consists of cell-laden hydrogels such as synthetic and natural polymers are printed so that they can hold the biomaterial in place and enable the living tissue to regenerate. Polymers like alginate and fibrin hydrogel materials have been extensively used these techniques. 

An extensive review of patents and commercial products indicate expanding biomedical applications of hydrogels. Numerous patents on hydrogels exist which are expected to see to reach the market in not-so-distant future. Product-focused R&D is a key strategy adopted by market players to expand their market presence across various regions. The customizable properties of hydrogel in products has stimulated extensive investments for development of new products.

Explore all reports for “Healthcare” market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/life-sciences/Healthcare-market-report

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