Synthesis and characterization of a library of in-situ curing, nonswelling ethoxylated polyol thiol-ene hydrogels for tailorable macromolecule delivery.

A transesterfication reaction is used to synthesize tri-thiol-functionalized-ethoxylated polyols that are combined with polyethylene glycol diacrylates to form a biodegradable hydrogel library. Hydrogels display nonswelling equilibration and offer temporal control over material degradation and the release of biomolecules. The demonstrated in vitro biocompatibility makes this a versatile platform that can be used for local drug delivery to volume-constrained anatomical sites.