Sprayable Hydrogel Sealant for Gastrointestinal Wound Shielding

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Delayed adverse events, including bleeding and perforation, occur 5-7 days post-gastrointestinal procedures.
• Current hemostatic agents offer limited adhesion (less than 48 hours) to gastrointestinal mucosal tissues.
• Existing solutions are insufficient for managing intra- and post-procedural complications effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel sprayable adhesive hydrogel for gastrointestinal (GI) lesion management.
• To assess the hydrogel's ability to provide sustained adhesion and tissue protection.
• To confirm the safety and efficacy of the hydrogel in preventing delayed post-operative complications.

Main Methods:

• Development of a sprayable biomaterial precursor (polyethyleneimine-modified Pluronic micelles and oxidized dextran) that instantly gels upon contact.
• Application of the hydrogel using clinically available endoscopes for facile delivery to GI lesions.
• In vitro and in vivo testing in animal models (guinea pigs, rabbits, pigs) to evaluate safety, adhesion, and efficacy on colonic and stomach lesions.

Main Results:

• The sprayable hydrogel demonstrated instant gelation and formed a robust adhesive shield on GI tissues.
• In vivo studies confirmed the biomaterial's safety and efficacy in both colonic and acidic stomach lesion models.
• The hydrogel provided prolonged tissue protection, lasting 3-7 days, and facilitated wound healing.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel offers a promising, readily adoptable solution for gastrointestinal wound management.
• This technology effectively minimizes the risk of delayed complications by providing sustained tissue protection.
• The sprayable adhesive hydrogel represents a significant advancement in endoscopic intervention and GI lesion care.