ASTM Workshop on Hydrogel Characterization
ASTM International will host the Workshop on the Characterization of Hydrogel Medical Products on May 6, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, during the spring meeting of the ASTM Committee F04 on Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices. This event brings together leading experts to discuss best practices, emerging analytical techniques, and the urgent need for standardized testing methods for hydrogels used in medical devices.
Workshop Focus and Objectives
Hydrogels are increasingly vital in medical applications, from regenerative medicine to implantable devices, due to their unique properties as water-swollen, three-dimensional polymer networks. However, the lack of standardized characterization protocols presents challenges for manufacturers, regulators, and researchers. The workshop aims to:
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Review current analytical techniques for hydrogel characterization, including assessments of chemistry, morphology, mechanical properties, and in-use performance.
- Identify critical gaps in existing ASTM standards and discuss the need for new or improved test methods, particularly those relevant to both implantable and non-implantable hydrogel medical products.
- Foster collaboration among engineers, chemists, scientists, regulators, and industry stakeholders to advance the field and improve product safety and efficacy.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is designed for professionals involved in the development, testing, and regulation of hydrogel-based medical products, including:
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Medical device manufacturers
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Testing laboratories
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Regulatory agencies
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Pharmaceutical companies utilizing hydrogel technologies
Interactive Discussion and Next Steps
Attendees are encouraged to participate in an open discussion at the conclusion of the workshop to help shape the future of hydrogel test standardization. This collaborative session will be instrumental in determining priorities for new ASTM standards and identifying opportunities for further research and interlaboratory studies
Workshop Co-Chairs
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Stephen Spiegelberg, Cambridge Polymer Group
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Jon Moseley (Retired)
Featured Speakers and Presentations
| Speaker & Affiliation | Title |
|---|---|
| Becky Bader, Cambridge Polymer Group | Chemical Risk Analysis of Hydrogels |
| Barbara Boyen, Virginia Commonwealth University | Development of a Rat Model for Assessing Safety and Effectiveness of Hydrogels as Dural Sealants |
| Scott Epstein, Boston Scott Corporation | In Vitro Testing of a Very High Aqueous Content Structural Hydrogel Medical Device |
| Gavin Braithwaite & Becky Bader, Cambridge Polymer Group | Characterization of a Degradable Ocular Hydrogel Implant |
| William Koshut, R J Lee Group | Tensile Fatigue Testing of PVA Hydrogels |
| Liisa Kuhn, University of Connecticut Health Center | Update on ASTM F2900 - Hydrogels Used in Regenerative Medicine |
| Ikra Shuvo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Anti-Dehydration Hydrogels for Piezoelectric Ultrasound Devices |
| Ethan Schrodt, Andrew Short, J.M. Canty | Hydrogels and Microspheres - Online Size and Shape Control |
| Lawrence Anderson, Exponential Business and Technologies | Hydrogel Contact Lens Characterization Using Nanoindentation, Contact Angle, and Friction Measurements |
Join the Conversation
Be part of the effort to shape the future of hydrogel medical product standards. Your expertise and input are vital to ensuring the safe and effective use of these soft materials in healthcare. For full event details and registration, visit the ASTM Workshop on the Characterization of Hydrogel Medical Products information page.