| Type | Glue |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boston Children's Hospital MIT Harvard-affiliatedBrigham and Women's Hospital |
Hydrophobic light-activated adhesive (HLAA) is a type ofglue that sets in seconds, but only after exposure toultraviolet 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]
The glue was developed in a collaboration betweenBoston Children's Hospital,MIT andHarvard-affiliatedBrigham and Women's Hospital. It was inspired by the viscous, water-repellant fluids secreted by animals such asslugs,sandcastle worms and insect footpads.[1][3]
HLAA has been used experimentally to repair holes in pig hearts. It provides ahemostatic 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 theheart 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] Thepolymer becomes physically entangled withcollagen and otherproteins on the tissue surface rather than adhering via achemical reaction.[4]
Sutures 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 othersurgical adhesive cures when exposed to water.[4]