Injectable Macroporous Cryogels for Minimally Invasive Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

Injectable macroporous cryogels, synthesized through cryogelation at sub-zero temperatures, offer unique properties such as shape-memory, mechanical robustness, and rapid swelling, allowing them to be delivered via minimally invasive procedures and regain their original form in situ. This paper discusses the fabrication principles, physicochemical characterization, and biomedical applications of these cryogels, highlighting their potential in fields like oncology and regenerative medicine. The cryotropic gelation mechanism, involving ice crystals as porogens, is crucial in defining the scaffold's microstructure.