Abstract
This paper describes the development and application of scaling laws relating bulk-degradation behavior of poly(lactic acid)−poly(ethylene glycol)−poly(lactic acid) (PLA-b-PEG-b-PLA) copolymer hydrogels to the ever-changing transport properties during network degradation. Specifically, the relationships developed were used to extend previous work and to predict the effects of cross-linking density and hydrolytic degradation rate on the controlled release of high molecular weight proteins from these hydrogels. Theoretical drug release profiles, obtained using scaling laws, agree qualitatively with experimental observations and show a decrease in the protein release rate with an increase in protein size, extent of macromer functionalization, and macromer concentration. Quantitative predictions of release behavior were possible under certain experimental conditions.
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