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A groundbreaking development in the field of medical adhesives promises to revolutionize the way internal wounds are sealed and medical devices are implanted. Researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) have unveiled a novel adhesive technology called Customized Underwater Bio-Adhesive Patches (CUBAP), which offers unprecedented versatility and effectiveness in biomedical applications.
Led by Professor Hyung Joon Cha, the team of researchers has harnessed the power of mussel-derived adhesive proteins to create adhesive patches that are not only safe for human use but also customizable for different organs. This innovation, featured as a frontispiece in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials, has garnered significant attention in both domestic and international scientific communities.
The significance of these adhesive patches lies in their ability to effectively seal internal wounds, leaks, and perforations in various organs of the human body. As the field of internal transplant devices continues to advance, there is an increasing demand for adhesives capable of securely holding these devices in place while promoting healing and tissue regeneration. The CUBAP technology addresses this need by offering strong adhesion underwater, a crucial requirement for many medical applications.
What sets CUBAP apart is its customization capabilities. By combining mussel adhesive proteins with polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid, the researchers have created a versatile adhesive system that can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of different organs. The patches exhibit non-adhesive properties in their dry state but become highly adhesive in the presence of moisture, such as in the human body. Moreover, the degradation time and mechanical hardness of the patches can be adjusted, allowing for personalized treatment strategies.
In animal studies and implants, the customized adhesive patches demonstrated remarkable adhesion even in highly mobile organs like the heart and bladder. The research team also successfully adjusted biodegradation times and flexibility during the transplantation of muscle regeneration electronic devices, showcasing the versatility of CUBAP in various biomedical applications.
Professor Cha expressed optimism about the future of personalized medical applications enabled by this technology, stating, “This research paves the way for personalized medical applications. We plan to enhance and refine the process through subsequent studies, with the goal of effective applications in diverse biomedical fields.” Senior Researcher Hwa Hui Shin from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K-MEDI Hub) emphasized the effectiveness and versatility of the developed bio-adhesive patches, expressing anticipation for their commercialization to meet the demands of the healthcare sector.
Supported by grants from the National Research Foundation of Korea, this groundbreaking research represents a significant step forward in the quest for safer, more effective medical adhesives. As the technology continues to evolve, it holds the promise of transforming the landscape of biomedical engineering and improving patient outcomes in a wide range of medical procedures.
