Mechanically Robust, Negative-Swelling, Mussel-Inspired Tissue Adhesives

Most synthetic polymer hydrogel tissue adhesives and sealants swell considerably in physiologic conditions, which can result in mechanical weakening and adverse medical complications. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of mechanically tough zero‐ or negative‐swelling mussel‐insp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced healthcare materials 2013-05, Vol.2 (5), p.745-755
Main Authors: Barrett, Devin G., Bushnell, Grace G., Messersmith, Phillip B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesiveness
Adhesives
Animals
Biomimetic Materials - chemical synthesis
Bivalvia - chemistry
Block copolymers
Crosslinking
Hardness
Hydrogels
Materials Testing
mechanical properties
Medical
Oxides
polymeric materials
Sealers
structure-property relationship
Tensile Strength
Thermosensitive
Tissue Adhesives - chemistry
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Summary:Most synthetic polymer hydrogel tissue adhesives and sealants swell considerably in physiologic conditions, which can result in mechanical weakening and adverse medical complications. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of mechanically tough zero‐ or negative‐swelling mussel‐inspired surgical adhesives based on catechol‐modified amphiphilic poly(propylene oxide)‐poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers. The formation, swelling, bulk mechanical, and tissue adhesive properties of the resulting thermosensitive gels were characterized. Catechol oxidation at or below room temperature rapidly resulted in a chemically cross‐linked network, with subsequent warming to physiological temperature inducing a thermal hydrophobic transition in the PPO domains and providing a mechanism for volumetric reduction and mechanical toughening. The described approach can be easily adapted for other thermally sensitive block copolymers and cross‐linking strategies, representing a general approach that can be employed to control swelling and enhance mechanical properties of polymer hydrogels used in a medical context. Adhesive hydrogels that negatively swell at physiological temperature are presented. By combining mussel‐mimetic chemistry and the thermosensitive nature of poly(ethylene oxide)‐poly(propylene oxide) copolymers, novel materials are designed that are suitable as medical sealants and adhesives.
ISSN:2192-2640
2192-2659
DOI:10.1002/adhm.201200316