Design and fabrication of dysprosium impregnated polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels. Physiochemical, mechanical, bioimaging and in vitro evaluation.

Tissue engineering has gained prominence during the past decade since it offers a key solution to defects associated with the tissue regeneration. The limited healing potential of the cartilage tissue damage has significant clinical implications. Herein, dysprosium (Dy) impregnated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have been developed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy, enabling simultaneous diagnostic imaging and antibacterial drug delivery for potential applications in articular cartilage.