Tech Briefs Magazine - April 2021 - 12

Ws of the Internal

Injury-Sealing Patch

Who
Many surgeries today are performed via minimally invasive procedures in which a small incision is made and miniature
cameras and surgical tools are threaded through the body to remove tumors and repair damaged tissues and organs.
While many procedures can be performed in this way, surgeons face challenges when sealing internal wounds and tears.

What
A new medical patch can be folded around minimally invasive
surgical tools and delivered through airways, intestines, and
other narrow spaces to patch up internal injuries. The patch
resembles a foldable, paper-like film when dry. Once it makes
contact with wet tissues or organs, it transforms into a stretchy
gel - similar to a contact lens - and can stick to an injured site.
The tape is designed to resist contamination when exposed to
bacteria and bodily fluids. Over time, the patch can safely biodegrade away. The three-layer patch comprises a middle layer of
bioadhesive made from a hydrogel material that is embedded
with compounds called NHS esters. The bottom layer is made
from a material coated with silicone oil, which acts to temporarily lubricate the adhesive, preventing it from sticking to other
surfaces as it travels through the body. The top layer is an elastomer film embedded with zwitterionic polymers, or molecular
chains made from both positive and negative ions that act to
attract any surrounding water molecules to the elastomer's surface. In this way, the adhesive's outward-facing layer forms a
water-based skin, or barrier, against bacteria and other contaminants. Origami-inspired techniques were used to fold the adhesive around instruments commonly used in minimally invasive
surgeries such as a balloon catheter and a surgical stapler.

Paper-like medical tapes can fold around surgical tools and
transform into soft, strong adhesives when pressed against
tissues. (Credit: Felice Frankel)

Where
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

The origami-inspired medical patch can be folded over tools
like surgical staplers (shown here) and threaded through
the body to suture tissues and organs. (Credit: Courtesy of
the researchers)

Why
Bioadhesives currently used in minimally invasive surgeries are available mostly as biodegradable liquids and glues
that can be spread over damaged tissues. When these glues solidify, they can stiffen over the softer underlying surface,
creating an imperfect seal. Blood and other biological fluids can also contaminate glues, preventing successful adhesion to the injured site. Glues can also wash away before an injury has fully healed and after application, they can also
cause inflammation and scar tissue formation.

When
The researchers are working with clinicians and surgeons to optimize the design for surgical use and they envision that
the new bioadhesive could be delivered via minimally invasive surgical tools operated by a surgeon either directly or
remotely via a medical robot. The bioadhesive could be manufactured in prefolded configurations that surgeons can
easily fit around minimally invasive instruments as well as on tools that are currently being used in robotic surgery.

Contact Jim Freedman, Associate Director, Technology Licensing Office, MIT, at jrftlo@mit.edu;
617-253-6966 or visit https://tlo.mit.edu.
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Tech Briefs Magazine - April 2021

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