A team has developed medical adhesives that are not only safe for human use but also customizable for different organs. The researchers used mussel-derived adhesive proteins to develop customized underwater bio-adhesive patches (CUBAP).

The adhesive is not only excellent in underwater adhesion but is also made from natural materials, ensuring safety and biocompatibility within the human body. The team produced customized patches (CUBAP) by combining mussel adhesive protein with polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid. These are currently undergoing clinical evaluation for minimizing scarring in skin closures.

In its dry state, the patch is nonadhesive, but in the human body or other humid environments, it exhibits strong adhesive properties. Furthermore, researchers can control the degradation time and mechanical hardness by adjusting the polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid ratios. This enables a customized adhesive system, considering the diverse structural and biological needs of different organs.

The team created three types of customized adhesive patches and applied them in animal treatments and implants. These patches maintained high adhesion even in highly mobile organs such as the heart and bladder. They also conducted successful experiments in adjusting biodegradation times and flexibility during the transplantation of muscle regeneration electronic devices. (Image credit: POSTECH)

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Topics:
Adhesives and sealants Adhesives/Sealants Collaboration and partnering Customization Implants & Prosthetics Medical People and personalities

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    This article first appeared in the April, 2024 issue of Medical Design Briefs Magazine (Vol. 14 No. 4).

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