Polymerization Enhancers for Cyanoacrylate Skin Adhesive

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Medical Adhesives

Background:

• Cyanoacrylate glues are widely used as synthetic tissue sealants for medical applications.
• 2-octyl cyanoacrylates (OCA) offer the best biocompatibility among available cyanoacrylates.
• Enhancing OCA's polymerization and adhesive properties is crucial for improved medical efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the polymerization and adhesive characteristics of 2-octyl cyanoacrylates (OCA) in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PEG-POSS).
• To evaluate the impact of PEG-POSS on OCA polymerization on various surfaces, including plastic and pig skin.
• To assess the adhesive strength and mechanical properties of OCA-PEG-POSS formulations.

Main Methods:

• Examining OCA polymerization initiated by PEG-POSS on plastic and pig skin surfaces.
• Conducting peel tests to quantify the adhesive strength of OCA formulations on pig skin.
• Preparing and evaluating thin films of OCA with different fillers using tear tests.

Main Results:

• PEG-POSS initiated OCA polymerization results in high molecular weight polymers with significantly improved adhesive properties compared to commercial cyanoacrylate adhesives.
• The relative increase in molecular weight for OCA with PEG-POSS is substantially higher than for commercial bioadhesives like Dermaflex.
• Peel tests on pig skin indicate that OCA formulations require a higher peeling force than Dermaflex, suggesting enhanced adhesion.

Conclusions:

• PEG-POSS acts as an effective initiator for OCA polymerization, leading to superior adhesive performance.
• The developed OCA-PEG-POSS formulation exhibits enhanced biocompatibility and adhesive strength, outperforming current market options.
• This study presents a promising advancement in medical adhesives for wound closure and surgical applications.