Collagen materials were crosslinked by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) in the presence of chondroitin sulfate (CS), one of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). PVA and chitosan were also blended with collagen. The physical and chemical properties of the matrices were characterized by SEM, DSC, and ESCA, L929 cells were implanted on the matrices to show the cytotoxic and the biological characters of the materials, The results indicate that EDC is an effective and non-cytotoxic cross-link reagent, which can replace the common dialdehyde reagent. The attachment of CS can improve the stability of collagen and accelerate cell growth The addition of PVA can prepare porous matrices with smaller bore size. There are reactions between the chitosan and collagen, and the composite has good biological character, The presence of chitosan can also increase the amount of incorporated CS.

In this article, nature derived collagen was mixed with chitosan and crosslinked by formaldehyde to form a homogeneous composite membrane. The microstructure of the composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Mechanical and swelling properties of the composite were improved compared with pure collagen and can be modulated via changing the crosslinking conditions, such as pH, time, and concentration.

Lomustine (CCNU) microcapsules was prepared by improved recoacervation method, then mixed mierocapsules with 0.7% collagen swelling solution to prepare the emulsion, spreaded the emulsion on the plate to form membrane and cross-linked it, the membrane would be planted into body and was expected to release at steady speed. The concentration of CCNU and the CCNU content of microcapsoles were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry to observe the release of CCNU be slow and constant, approach to O-class release approximately.

In this paper, we review some mafor progrosses made in the field of biomedical materials research on the application of collagen protein and its composites formed with certain synthetic polymers (e. g., polyhydroxvethyl methacrylate and polyvinyl alcohol). Some potential development and application of the materials are discussed tentatively. Due to their biocompatibility and physico-chemical properties, the collagen-synthetic polymer hydrogels will find wide application in soft tissue substitution, drug release system, guided tissue regeneration, and tissue engineering.