Instantly adhesive and ultra-elastic patches for dynamic organ and wound repair

Abstract

Bioadhesive materials and patches are promising alternatives to surgical sutures and staples. However, many existing bioadhesives do not meet the functional requirements of current surgical procedures and interventions. Here we present a translational patch material that exhibits: (1) instant adhesion to wet tissues (2.5-fold stronger than Tisseel, an FDA-approved fibrin glue), (2) ultra-stretchability (stretching to >300% its original length without losing elasticity), (3) compatibility with rapid photo-projection (<2 min fabrication time/patch), and (4) ability to deliver therapeutics. Using our established procedures for the in silico design and optimization of anisotropic-auxetic patches, we create next generation patches for instant attachment to wet and dry tissues while conforming to a broad range of organ mechanics ex vivo and in vivo. Patches coated with exosomes demonstrate robust wound healing capability in vivo without inducing a foreign body response and without the need for patch removal that can cause pain and bleeding. We further demonstrate a new single material-based, void-filling auxetic patch designed for the treatment of lung puncture wounds.

Microbe-loaded bioink designed to support therapeutic yeast growth

“…To confirm the presence of yeast added to our patches, we loaded GFP-expressing yeast into the bioink and printed patches with three different complex geometries mimicking the mechanical, auxetic properties of human skin. 21,32,33 Yeast were visualized in the printed patches by fluorescence microscopy, and as expected fluorescence intensity was higher in yeast-containing patches than control patches without yeast (Fig. 1), demonstrating successful encapsulation of yeast into hydrogels.…”

“…For example, we have recently shown that the addition of acrylic acid and calcium can substantially increase tissue adhesion. 32 Future studies will optimize patch composition for tissue adhesion while maintaining yeast viability.…”

Basic immunologic study as a foundation for engineered therapeutic development

“…Beyond skin wound repair, patches can be manufactured to help repair the regeneration of lung tissue in cases of puncture wounds and serve as another viable option for potential therapeutic treatment in regenerative medicine. 82 …”

Synergizing Algorithmic Design, Photoclick Chemistry and Multi‐Material Volumetric Printing for Accelerating Complex Shape Engineering

“…Another reason could be that the hydrogel-based design elements within the meshes tended to stick to each other when the experiments were performed in air (Figure 2F), which may have prevented them from opening-up when the meshes were stretched. In future, we could perform the stretching of the meshes under water or use a balloon model to further characterize the auxetic characteristics of the meshes, [4,27] to validate the computational models.…”