| abstract |
Biocompatible, biodegradable, hydrogels are prepared from a backbone bonded to a cross-linking agent. Suitable backbones include proteins and polysaccharides, e.g,, albumin, polymannuronic acid, or polygalacturonic acid. Suitable cross-linking agents include polyvalent derivatives of polyethylene or polyalkylene glycol. These hydrogel compositions may be loaded with diagnostic labels, e.g,, radiopaque, paramagnetic, or superparamagnetic materials, or therapeutic drugs, e.g., chemotherapeutic drugs, antibiotics, or cells that produce therapeutic agents. This invention also relates to methods of use of such hydrogels for imaging during interventional procedures of a patient. |