Hydrogel-based Radioprotective Spacer Development Service

Radiation therapy is a critical component of cancer treatment, but it often poses risks to surrounding healthy tissues. At STEMart, we are dedicated to enhancing the safety and efficacy of radiation therapy through innovative solutions. Our hydrogel-based radioprotective spacer development service offers a comprehensive approach to mitigating radiation damage by developing injectable hydrogel spacers that protect healthy tissues while ensuring effective treatment delivery.

The Use of Hydrogel-Based Materials for Radioprotection

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of various cancers, but it often comes with the risk of damaging healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. To mitigate these risks, the development of advanced radioprotective materials has become a critical area of research. Hydrogels, valued for their biocompatibility and unique properties, are well-tolerated by the body, minimize adverse reactions, and can be designed to be biodegradable. They remain stable during radiation treatment and then gradually degrade and are absorbed. Hydrogel-based radioprotective spacers create a physical barrier between the target organ and healthy tissues. By increasing the distance between the radiation target and sensitive organs like the rectum or bladder, hydrogels lower the radiation dose to healthy tissues, reducing side effects. This is particularly beneficial in treating cancers such as prostate and cervical cancer.

Fig.1 Schematic illustration of the hydrogel spacer for radiation protection.¹

Comprehensive Hydrogel Radioprotective Spacer Development Solution

At STEMart, we specialize in developing injectable hydrogel spacers tailored to meet the specific needs of your applications. Our spacers are designed with biodegradable components that gradually degrade and are safely absorbed by the body after treatment is complete. This ensures that the spacer remains stable during radiation therapy while minimizing long-term impact on the patient.

At STEMart, we provide a comprehensive service for developing injectable hydrogel spacers. Our process begins with the careful selection of biocompatible polymers and additives, tailored to meet the specific requirements of your radiation therapy protocols. We then optimize the hydrogel formulation to ensure stability, biodegradability, and imaging compatibility, followed by rigorous prototyping and testing to validate performance and safety. Our in-house laboratory facilities allow for detailed characterization, assessing critical parameters such as gelation time, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior.

Features of Hydrogel-Based Radioprotective Spacers

• Biocompatibility: The hydrogel is made from materials that are well-tolerated by the human body, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.
• Controlled Degradation: The hydrogel remains stable for the duration of radiation therapy and then safely degrades over time.
• Physical Barrier: It effectively increases the distance between the target organ and healthy tissues, reducing radiation exposure.
• Imaging Compatibility: Some hydrogels are formulated with contrast agents to allow for easy tracking and verification of placement using medical imaging techniques.
• Injectable Formulation: Our hydrogels are designed to be easily injected using standard medical devices, ensuring minimally invasive placement.

If you are interested in learning more about our hydrogel-based radioprotective spacer development service, please contact us to discuss how we can collaborate to improve patient care in your institution.