Tissue Adhesive Technologies for Biomedical Applications

Tissue adhesives have emerged as versatile alternatives or complements to sutures and staples for wound closure, haemostasis and internal organ sealing. Advances in polymer chemistry, biomimetic design and nanotechnology have yielded materials capable of forming strong bonds under wet conditions, rapidly curing in situ and matching the mechanical properties of soft tissues. Synthetic polymers such as cyanoacrylates and polyurethane prepolymers offer rapid adhesion and high bond strength but may raise concerns over biodegradation by-products. Naturally derived hydrogels based on gelatin, chitosan or silk fibroin combine intrinsic biocompatibility with tunable crosslinking chemistries, including catechol functionalisation for mussel-inspired adhesion. Photocurable systems enable precise spatiotemporal control of curing, while core–shell nanoparticle-based adhesives integrate imaging contrast with adhesive function for image-guided procedures. Key performance metrics include adhesion and cohesion energies, cytotoxicity profiles, swelling behaviour and degradation rates. Ongoing challenges centre on achieving durable adhesion in dynamic physiological environments, minimising inflammatory responses and translating laboratory formulations into scalable, regulatory-approved products. Successful integration of multifunctional adhesives into minimally invasive devices and point-of-care formats promises to transform surgical practice and emergency medicine worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A recent study introduced biocompatible core–shell nanoparticles engineered for both tissue adhesion and real-time imaging. These tantalum oxide–silica cores exhibit high radiographic contrast while their silica shells are functionalised to form strong bonds with tissue surfaces. The nanoparticles demonstrate minimal cellular toxicity and reduced inflammatory response compared with conventional imageable adhesives. In preclinical models, they served as effective haemostatic sealants in minimally invasive procedures and as stable markers for image-guided interventions, illustrating a multifunctional approach that bridges adhesive performance and diagnostic visibility.

Research from all publishers

An injectable, solvent-free polyurethane adhesive has been developed, inspired by mussel proteins, that cures rapidly underwater through isocyanate esterification. The two-component system achieves bonding strengths exceeding 40 kPa on porcine skin, sustains adhesion in acidic, alkaline and saline environments, and exhibits excellent haemostatic performance in wound models. Its robust mechanical profile and biocompatibility suggest broad potential for emergency haemostasis and industrial sealing.

A mussel-inspired gelatin methacryloyl–catechol hydrogel has been engineered as a double-crosslinked sealant for controlling bleeding in soft internal organs. This hydrogel achieves clotting times significantly shorter than commercial haemostats and demonstrates rapid in vivo liver incision closure in rodent models. Its covalent catechol chemistry confers wet adhesion and intrinsic haemostatic activity without compromising biocompatibility, highlighting its promise for surgical and interventional applications.

A photocurable silk fibroin sealant has been formulated with methacrylate groups to enable rapid light-activated crosslinking. Mechanical and ex vivo vascular pressure tests confirm strong adhesion and leak prevention. In vivo studies on skin, liver and vascular models show superior haemostatic ability and accelerated wound healing compared with existing materials. The system’s capacity for endoscopic photocuring points to future integration with minimally invasive surgical platforms.

Tissue Adhesive Technologies for Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in tissue adhesive technologies for biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Adhesion: Interfacial bonding between an adhesive and biological tissue surfaces.

Cohesion: Internal strength of an adhesive material that maintains structural integrity under stress.

Hydrogel: A three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers capable of retaining large amounts of water.

Core–shell nanoparticles: Nanostructures composed of a core material encapsulated by a distinct shell, offering multifunctional properties.

Photocuring: A polymerisation process activated by light, enabling rapid crosslinking of adhesive materials.

Haemostasis: The physiological process or materials used to stop bleeding and seal injuries in biological tissues.

Biocompatibility: The ability of a material to interact with living tissues without inducing adverse effects.

References

1. Recent Advances in Tissue Adhesives for Clinical Medicine. Polymers (2020).
2. Bioinspired Injectable Polyurethane Underwater Adhesive with Fast Bonding and Hemostatic Properties. Advanced Science (2024).
3. Multifunctional nanoparticles as a tissue adhesive and an injectable marker for image-guided procedures. Nature Communications (2017).
4. Engineering a naturally derived hemostatic sealant for sealing internal organs. Materials Today Bio (2021).
5. Rapidly photocurable silk fibroin sealant for clinical applications. NPG Asia Materials (2020).