Polymer-based Surgical Sealant and Adhesive

Summary

Researchers at Children's National Hospital and University of Maryland have developed a polymer-based surgical adhesive and sealant material for internal and external applications. The polymer is easily sprayable into a thin layer or fibers by employing blow-spinning technique.

Description

Proper sealing of tissues following surgeries or procedures involving resections, anastomosis, damaged tissues/vasculature and biopsies is an essential step in ensuring that leakages from tissues and infections from exposure to pathogens can be avoided. Suturing, which is typically used for wound closure does not perfectly seal wounds due to tissue gaps, suture-failure or wound separation where the edges of the wound do not meet. The newly developed sealant is antimicrobial and facilitates improved healing compared to existing options such as Tegaderm which offers a semi-permeable barrier and hence not completely antimicrobial, and is cheaper than hydrogel and silicone-based dressing which offer adequate hydration but are expensive or difficult to use. The following are advantages of this technology:

1. Biodegradable, non-cytotoxic and antimicrobial
2. Moist wound environment established
3. Faster re-epithelialization and less scarring
4. Temperature-responsive, and flexible polymer
5. Easy to transport and apply

Applications

• Surgical sealant and adhesive for internal and external applications

Stage of Development

• Validated pre-clinical studies in pigs and mice

Intellectual Property Status

• Patent Pending

This technology is available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.