Body-temperature responsive hydrogel adhesive for active wound closure

Abstract

Hydrogels have extensive application in sutureless wound closure and healing. For relying on the natural recovery rate of the skin or tissue often results in prolonged healing periods due to the gradual process of wound contraction facilitated by cell migration, our approach involves the integration of two distinct layers to create a cohesive and innovative body-temperature responsive hydrogel tape (TRAT). The shape memory layer of P(PTHF-co-PEG-co-PETMP) possesses excellent mechanical properties and adjustable temperature-responsive characteristics. Upon integration with the adhesive layer consisting of a silk fibroin semi-interpenetrating network and poly(acrylic acid) covalent network, the resulting TRAT composite maintains remarkable body temperature responsive shape memory attributes while retaining robust wet surface adhesion capabilities (∼150 kPa). In virtue of its exceptional temperature-responsive and wet-adhesion features, TRAT can achieve varying degrees of wound contraction. It spontaneously unfolds from an initial folded state and securely attaches to the inner esophageal surface upon temperature stimulation. This holds promising implications for the development of anti-migration trachea stents, showing TRAT's potential in this application.