Tough Hydrogel Tube for Long-Term Cellular Graft

This paper reports a fabrication of a tough hydrogel tube for implantation of the cellular graft. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel is known for its stiffness and stability under aqueous conditions due to the crystalline crosslinking formation. This PVA hydrogel is fabricated into a tubular form with sub-hundred-micron hydrogel layer to act as an immune barrier for cellular graft implant. The strictly controlled diameter of the tube is suitable for keeping the laden cells alive for a long period of time. The PVA hydrogel tube was tough enough to induce cells though cannulation syringe, which is easily adapted by people who specialize in medicine or biology. This PVA hydrogel microtube has a great potential for long-term implantation of functional cells.