Researchers at MIT have unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in biomedical technology: a 3D-printable tissue adhesive that sets a new standard with its superior tissue adhesion, rapid sealing capabilities, and unique blood-repelling feature. This innovation holds enormous promise for transforming wound care and biomedical device applications and has been published in Nature Communications.
Tissue adhesives offer an alternative to traditional wound closure methods like sutures and staples, boasting advantages such as reduced tissue trauma, quicker application, and potentially minimized scarring. However, challenges such as time-consuming application, skill dependence, and patient discomfort have fueled the search for innovative solutions.
The MIT team’s development addresses these challenges by creating a versatile, efficient, and patient-friendly solution in the form of a 3D printable tissue adhesive. This adhesive ink, composed of poly(acrylic acid) grafted to polyurethane, boasts strong adhesion to tissues, aided by specific chemical functional groups. Additionally, a blood-repelling hydrophobic matrix enhances its functionality, crucial for maintaining integrity in challenging conditions such as bleeding tissues.
The fabrication process involves 3D printing the adhesive ink onto a hydrophobic-coated glass slide, followed by the printing of an insulator layer and electrodes using silver conductive ink. This multifunctional adhesive allows for potential integration of electronic components, showcasing its versatility in bio-integrated devices.
Notably, the adhesive’s performance surpasses existing commercial products in tissue adhesion, demonstrating rapid sealing capabilities across various surgical scenarios. An unexpected breakthrough emerged during the research—the potential to infuse the adhesive with a blood-repellent fluid, addressing challenges faced by existing adhesives in bleeding environments.
Biocompatibility studies confirmed the adhesive’s safety, with successful adhesion and integration observed in various tissue repairs. Micro-CT imaging provided quantitative insights into tissue regeneration post-surgery, highlighting the effectiveness of these patches.
Beyond wound closure, the adhesive hints at expansive applications in tissue-interfacing devices such as sensors and drug delivery systems. Leveraging its 3D printability opens up possibilities for designing patches with tissue-specific properties, paving the way for more personalized tissue-repair solutions.
