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TAPE: A Biodegradable Hemostatic Glue Inspired by a Ubiquitous Compound in Plants for Surgical Application
Published on: June 8, 2016
A biodegradable and biocompatible gecko-inspired tissue adhesive.
Alborz Mahdavi1, Lino Ferreira, Cathryn Sundback
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA.
Summary
Researchers developed a gecko-inspired biodegradable polymer adhesive for medical use. This innovative material mimics gecko feet for strong tissue attachment, offering a potential alternative to sutures and staples for wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Medical adhesives require biodegradability, biocompatibility, and strong tissue bonding.
- Existing adhesives struggle with mechanical deformation and conformability.
- Gecko feet exhibit remarkable adhesive properties due to nanotopography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a biodegradable, gecko-inspired polymer adhesive for medical applications.
- To optimize nanoscale surface topography for enhanced tissue adhesion.
- To evaluate the adhesive performance in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized poly(glycerol-co-sebacate acrylate) elastomer.
- Fabricated nanoscale pillars mimicking gecko foot nanotopography.
- Coated pillars with oxidized dextran to improve tissue reactivity and adhesion.
Main Results:
- Optimized pillar dimensions (tip-to-pitch, tip-to-base ratios) improved adhesion.
- Oxidized dextran coating significantly enhanced interfacial adhesion strength.
- Demonstrated effective adhesion on porcine intestine (in vitro) and rat abdominal tissue (in vivo).
Conclusions:
- Developed a promising gecko-inspired biodegradable medical adhesive.
- Nanoscale surface modification and coating are key to strong, adaptable tissue bonding.
- Potential applications include wound sealing and suture/staple replacement.
