Tissue-adhesive, stretchable and compressible physical double-crosslinked microgel-integrated hydrogels for dynamic...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Integrated wound care requires materials that can adapt to dynamic mechanical and wet environments.
• Existing bioadhesives often struggle to meet these demands, limiting their efficacy in treating complex wounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel dehydrated, physical double crosslinked microgels (DPDMs) for integrated care of dynamic wounds.
• To create hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties, tissue adhesion, and hemostatic capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized DPDMs by integrating reversible and double crosslinks into micronized gels.
• Characterized the mechanical properties (tensile and compressive toughness) and tissue-adhesive strength of the resulting DPDM-Gels.
• Evaluated in vivo hemostasis and wound healing efficacy in dynamic bleeding and skin wound models.

Main Results:

• DPDM-Gels exhibited outstanding tensile and compressive toughness, comparable to commercial bioadhesives.
• Demonstrated stable performance under repeated deformations and effective hemostasis in various bleeding models.
• Showcased successful integrated care of dynamic skin wounds in vivo.

Conclusions:

• DPDMs can form highly stretchable, compressible, and adhesive hydrogels suitable for dynamic wound care.
• The developed DPDM-Gels offer a promising new approach for smart wound management, addressing limitations of current bioadhesives.
• These materials show potential for effective hemostasis and promoting wound healing in challenging clinical scenarios.