Chinese scientists develop substance which rapidly seals open wounds

A light-activated adhesive gel also known as a “bio glue” which can rapidly seal wounds to arteries and the heart has been developed by a group of Chinese researchers.

According to a report by Chinese media outfit, Xinhua, the scientists have demonstrated in animal experiments that the light-activated adhesive gel can rapidly seal wounds.

A study published online on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications says the development could have potential applications in surgery in the future.

Uncontrolled bleeding following trauma or during surgery is a major cause of death and it is difficult to seal these wounds without sutures.

A team led by researchers from Zhejiang University and East China University Of Science And Technology designed a gel that mimics the composition of the extracellular matrix (a network of proteins and other molecules) and rapidly sets when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Read also: Japan’s maiden commercially developed rocket reaches outer space for the first time

“This highly efficient gel material can be injected, and has the potential to be used for surgical hemostasis and wound fast sealing in use I cases like open surgery and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery,” Yi Hong, one of the authors from Zhejiang University, told Xinhua.

In preliminary animal experiments in the laboratory, the authors showed that their system was able to seal wounds to pig livers.

Following this, they performed a set of surgical procedures on pigs and were able to demonstrate that wounds to the heart could be sealed using the gel without the need for sutures.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now