Qualification of a Swellable Hydrogel–Silicone Bimorph for Implantable Actuation
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- 2Institute for Multiphase Processes (IMP), Leibniz University Hannover, An der Universität 1, 30823 Garbsen, Germany
- 3Institute for Polymer Sciences, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Upper Austria, Austria
- 4Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Nikolai-Fuchs-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- 5Unavera Chemlab, Am Ländbach 20, 82481 Mittenwald, Germany
Abstract
To improve the structural adaptability and biological suitability of cochlear implant electrode carriers, this study systematically develops and evaluates novel 3D-printed, swellable hydrogel–silicone composites. A vinylphosphonic acid–acrylamide hydrogel powder (VPA-AAm) was pre-washed, milled, and sieved, incorporated into a silicone matrix, and 3D-printed before rapid thermal curing, followed by microstructural, swelling, and in vitro WST-1 cytotoxicity analyses. Pre-washing minimized particle agglomeration and facilitated high-resolution printing. Incorporating the hydrogel induced complete macroscopic opacity at 25 wt.% and localized microporosity during rapid thermal curing. The non-percolating morphology influenced swelling and mass transport through the composite, providing a mechanistic link between water uptake and the observed cell-viability response. While a 35 wt.% loading was associated with matrix degradation and cell viability below the 70% threshold, the 30 wt.% composition achieved the highest water absorption of approximately 400–460%, consistent with a favorable balance between osmotic swelling and matrix elasticity. This swelling behavior was associated with controlled release characteristics and non-cytotoxic extract responses at intermediate hydrogel loading. Consequently, the 30 wt.% composite represents a promising material combination for implantable medical devices, balancing swelling performance, structural stability, and favorable in vitro cell viability under the investigated extraction conditions.
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BibTeX
@article{dosdogru2026qualification,
title = {{Qualification of a Swellable Hydrogel–Silicone Bimorph for Implantable Actuation}},
author = {Esma Dosdoğru and Adrian Onken and Sabine Hild and Patricia Torgau and David Schäffl and Jan Sündermann and Marc Müller and Johannes Aucktor and Hasso v. Zychlinski and Theodor Doll},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/polym18192437},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13667694},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Qualification of a Swellable Hydrogel–Silicone Bimorph for Implantable Actuation
AU - Esma Dosdoğru
AU - Adrian Onken
AU - Sabine Hild
AU - Patricia Torgau
AU - David Schäffl
AU - Jan Sündermann
AU - Marc Müller
AU - Johannes Aucktor
AU - Hasso v. Zychlinski
AU - Theodor Doll
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18192437
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13667694
AB - To improve the structural adaptability and biological suitability of cochlear implant electrode carriers, this study systematically develops and evaluates novel 3D-printed, swellable hydrogel–silicone composites. A vinylphosphonic acid–acrylamide hydrogel powder (VPA-AAm) was pre-washed, milled, and sieved, incorporated into a silicone matrix, and 3D-printed before rapid thermal curing, followed by microstructural, swelling, and in vitro WST-1 cytotoxicity analyses. Pre-washing minimized particle agglomeration and facilitated high-resolution printing. Incorporating the hydrogel induced complete macroscopic opacity at 25 wt.% and localized microporosity during rapid thermal curing. The non-percolating morphology influenced swelling and mass transport through the composite, providing a mechanistic link between water uptake and the observed cell-viability response. While a 35 wt.% loading was associated with matrix degradation and cell viability below the 70% threshold, the 30 wt.% composition achieved the highest water absorption of approximately 400–460%, consistent with a favorable balance between osmotic swelling and matrix elasticity. This swelling behavior was associated with controlled release characteristics and non-cytotoxic extract responses at intermediate hydrogel loading. Consequently, the 30 wt.% composite represents a promising material combination for implantable medical devices, balancing swelling performance, structural stability, and favorable in vitro cell viability under the investigated extraction conditions.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -