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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Engineering a Bilayered Hydrogel to Control ASC Differentiation
Published on: May 25, 2012
Next-generation hydrogel films as tissue sealants and adhesion barriers
Steven L Bennett1, David A Melanson, David F Torchiana
1Confluent Surgical, Inc., 101 A First Ave, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
Background:
The development of conveniently sprayed, tissue-adherent, inert hydrogel films has made possible the creation of novel products that can serve a dual function, as a surgical sealant to achieve immediate hemostasis, and as a barrier to prevent adhesion formation over time.
Methods:
A sprayable, in situ formed absorbable hydrogel film was evaluated as a tissue sealant in a heparinized canine carotid artery graft model. PTFE grafts with leaking end-to-side anastomoses were treated with the synthetic sealant, and hemostasis was evaluated upon restoration of blood flow. Also, the hydrogel films were evaluated as an adhesion barrier in a rabbit pericardial abrasion model.
Results:
The sprayable, in situ forming hydrogel film was shown to immediately seal carotid-PTFE anastomoses in six of six applications. Hydrogel application in a rabbit pericardial abrasion model resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the number and tenacity of adhesions.
Conclusions:
This novel in situ formed sprayable hydrogel film has demonstrated a dual function as an effective tissue sealant and as an adhesion barrier in cardiovascular preclinical models. These next generation synthetic biomaterials are currently undergoing clinical investigations.
