UV curable bioadhesives: copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone

A series of UV curable bioadhesives was prepared from copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone with four different comonomers: 2-acrylamido methyl 1-propane sulfonic acid, vinyl succinimide, glycidyl acrylate, and 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate. The developed bioadhesives demonstrated a fast UV-induced setting with a set time of about 3 min. Bond strength between the bioadhesive and porcine intestine specimen was determined by the peel test. These bioadhesives can provide improved adhesion values up to 4.6 N/m of 180 degrees peel strength compared to five different commercial bioadhesives (values ranging from 0.52 to 3.04 N/m). In addition, the fully hydrated UV curable bioadhesives have shown a high water uptake ranging from 25 to 350 wt% and equilibrium water content ranging from 20 to 100 wt%. Because N-vinyl pyrrolidone is a monomer all these copolymers are expected to retain good biocompatibility. Obtained promising results of peel strength and water uptake clearly suggest that the developed bioadhesives have a strong potential for many medical applications such as single-layered hydrogel wound dressings and tissue adhesives.