Researchers have found that they can control the stickiness of sticky ice with ultrasonic waves and bubbles. This breakthrough could lead to new advances in medical adhesives, especially in difficult-to-apply adhesive situations such as on wet skin.
The adhesive hydrogel is applied on the skin under the ultrasonic transducer. Image: Ran Huo and Jianyu Li / Hydrogel adhésif appqué sur la peau sous la sonde à ultrasons. Crédit: Ran Huo and Jianyu Li, McGill University
“Tapes, adhesives and patches are common bioadhesives used at home or in clinics. However, they often do not adhere well to wet skin. It is also a challenge to control where they are used and the strength and duration of adhesion to form,” said Professor McGill. Jianyu Liwho led a team of engineers, physicists, chemists and clinicians.
Lead author Zhenwei Ma, Professor Li’s former student and now Killam Postdoctoral Fellow, said: “We were surprised to discover that by simply fiddling with ultrasonic intensities, we can control the stickiness of the tape on many tissues. University of British Columbia.
The tiny balls generated by the ultrasonic waves mediate the bio-adhesion process. Image credit: Zhenwei Ma, McGill University
Controlling bubble stickiness caused by ultrasonic waves
In collaboration with physicists Professor Outi Supponen and Claire Bourquard from the Institute of Fluid Dynamics at ETH Zurich, the team experimented with ultrasonically induced microscopic marbles to make the adhesive more sticky. Professor Supponen said: “Ultrasonic waves generate many small particles, which accelerate the adhesive into the skin for stronger biological adhesion. “We can even use theoretical models to estimate exactly where adhesion will occur.”
The adhesive hydrogel is applied on the skin under the ultrasonic transducer. Image credit: Ran Huo and Jianyu Li. Image credit: Zhenwei Ma, McGill University
Their study, published in the journal Science, showed that the adhesive was compatible with living tissue in mice. Adhesives can also be used to deliver drugs through the skin. Professor Zu-hua Gao of the University of British Columbia said: “This paradigm-changing technology will have huge implications in many medical disciplines. “We are excited to translate this technology for use in clinics for tissue repair, cancer treatment and precision medicine.”
“By merging mechanical, materials and biomedical engineering, we envision the broad impact of our bioadhesive technology in wearable devices, wound management and regenerative medicine. creation,” said Professor Li, who is also the Canadian Research Chair in Biomaterials and Musculoskeletal Health.
Source: McGill University
