Hydrophobic light-activated adhesive (HLAA) is a type of glue that sets in seconds, but only after exposure to ultraviolet light. One biocompatible, biodegradable HLAA is under consideration for use in human tissue repair as a replacement for sutures, staples and other approaches.[1][2]
| Type | Glue |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boston Children's Hospital MIT Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital |
History
editThe glue was developed in a collaboration between Boston Children's Hospital, MIT and Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. It was inspired by the viscous, water-repellant fluids secreted by animals such as slugs, sandcastle worms and insect footpads.[1][3]
Heart repair
editHLAA has been used experimentally to repair holes in pig hearts. It provides a hemostatic seal that adheres to the heart tissue despite immersion in liquid blood. It is not rejected by the body and is sufficiently adhesive and elastic that it is not pulled loose or damaged by the contractions of the heart muscle. It harmlessly biodegrades over time. The lack of stitching or stapling implies that procedures for applying glue-treated patches are potentially considerably less invasive than the alternatives.[1] The polymer becomes physically entangled with collagen and other proteins on the tissue surface rather than adhering via a chemical reaction.[4]
Alternatives
editSutures can damage heart tissue and take too long to apply. Staples can also damage heart tissue. Existing surgical adhesives can be toxic, and they can become unstuck in wet, dynamic environments such as the heart. As a result, infants often require subsequent operations to "replug" the hole.[1] One other surgical adhesive cures when exposed to water.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "New superglue fixes holes in the heart". Gizmag.com. 2014-01-10. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
- ^ Lang, N.; Pereira, M. J.; Lee, Y.; Friehs, I.; Vasilyev, N. V.; Feins, E. N.; Ablasser, K.; O'Cearbhaill, E. D.; Xu, C.; Fabozzo, A.; Padera, R.; Wasserman, S.; Freudenthal, F.; Ferreira, L. S.; Langer, R.; Karp, J. M.; Del Nido, P. J. (2014). "A Blood-Resistant Surgical Glue for Minimally Invasive Repair of Vessels and Heart Defects". Science Translational Medicine. 6 (218): 218ra6. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3006557. PMC 4157752. PMID 24401941.
- ^ "New Glue Could Seal Heart Surgeries: Scientific American Podcast". scientificamerican.com. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Mending Damaged Hearts with Surgical Glue – MIT Technology Review". technologyreview.com. Retrieved 14 January 2014.