Abstract: Disclosed are Self-Gelling materials and structures or materials or structures having one or more self-gelling components that overcome existing gel limitations due to hydrogel localization for medical applications by providing, for example, 1) microstructurally, or physically, anchored characteristics to help localize the gel, and the overall printed, or otherwise formed structure, giving structural form to the gel that allows the gel to be localized within the body, and even sutured in place, and mitigates gel migration and extends its residence time; 2) to provide an underlying 3D printed structure to help contain and support the gel after implantation; and more. Self-Gelling 3D printed structures may be further processed via milling to yield deconstructed scaffold micro-granules, with the composition and nano-/micro-structure of the original larger structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are Self-Gelling materials and structures or materials or structures having one or more self-gelling components that overcome existing gel limitations due to hydrogel localization for medical applications by providing, for example, 1) microstructurally, or physically, anchored characteristics to help localize the gel, and the overall printed, or otherwise formed structure, giving structural form to the gel that allows the gel to be localized within the body, and even sutured in place, and mitigates gel migration and extends its residence time; 2) to provide an underlying 3D printed structure to help contain and support the gel after implantation; and more. Self-Gelling 3D printed structures may be further processed via milling to yield deconstructed scaffold micro-granules, with the composition and nano-/micro-structure of the original larger structure.