A novel hydrogel-dispersed composite membrane of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in gelatin matrix and its thermally actuated permeation of 4-acetamidophen

The swelling behavior of hyddrogels has been interested in many applications of drug carriers. These gels show reversible swelling changes in response to pH, electric currcnt, and temperature. Among others, the temperature-responsive behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylanxide) (p(NIPAAm)) was studied, because a lower critical solution temperature(LCST) is in the vicinity of 32$\circ$C, and remarkable temperature-response can be obtained. We propose a novel composite membrane, which is appropriate for transporting drug ingredients above the transition temperature. Our object was to design a high permeation system above the shrinking temperature of p(NIPAAm). The membrane was composed of a matrix polymer and thermosensitive p(NIPAAm) hydrogel. The flux pattern of 4-acctamidophen through membrane in response of temperature was opposite to that of p(NIPAAm) membrane.