Figure 1.

Stability monitoring, depot formation, and biodegradability of hydrogel. (a) Gelling behavior of hydrogel solutions with a polymer content of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30% (w/v). (b) Stability monitoring of hydrogel over a period of 6 weeks. (c) Depot formation 2 h after injection of 100 µL hydrogel (s.c.). (d) MRI monitoring of the degradation of a 100 µL hydrogel depot. Images were taken directly after injection as well as on days 6, 12, and 21. (e) MRI monitoring of gadolinium-labeled albumin, injected with hydrogel directly after injection and on day 8. White arrows indicate the location of the hydrogel depot. CP, cylinder phantom with hydrogel loaded with gadolinium-labeled albumin; T1, T1-weighted; T2, T2-weighted.