
via Phys.org
Current medical adhesives have their limitations.
The materials for stitching up injuries and surgical wounds may have changed over the millennia, but the basic process of suturing tissue remains the same. In the 21st century, however, the method may finally become outdated.
“Stiches are a very crude way to put someone back together,” says Andrew Smith, a professor of biology at Ithaca College. Think about it: You’re sewing two bits of skin together. Smith’s research focus is in gels, specifically the gels secreted by certain slugs and snails. It’s the stuff that lets the mollusks stick to wave-battered rocks or stay firmly glued in place when hungry birds try to pry them off and into their gullets.
No more popped stitches
Current medical adhesives have their limitations. When binding internal surgical incisions for example, stitches and staples are still the go-to method because adhesives will ultimately fail from exposure to bodily fluids. However, stitches and staples can fail as well, causing leakage and other complications.
Modern adhesives also fail when it comes to holding jagged cuts together; they work best when the cut is relatively straight and clean (and not too deep). Smith’s work with slugs and snails, and the work of others researching the biomechanics of creatures such as mussels and barnacles, are paving the way to that day in the not-too-distant future when a needle and suture, or staple, are obsolete.
“Gel like this would make an ideal medical adhesive, Smith says. “It would stick to wet surfaces, and no matter how much the tissue flexed and bent, the gel would flex and bend with it. There would be no leakage or scarring. ”
The secret is in the gel
Snail and slug gel typically functions as a slippery lubricant to help the animal glide across surfaces. Chemically, Smith describes these gels as “a dilute, tangled network of polymers” that are neither a solid nor fluid. He and the undergraduate students who help with research in his lab are examining the internal chemical processes whereby a slug or other mollusk converts that lubricant into powerful glue.
What they’ve determined so far is that ions of metal such as zinc, calcium, iron and copper help create strong cross-links between those polymers, which stiffen the gel. It’s a very quick process: Smith said collecting slugs requires him to deftly flick them into a plastic bag with a pencil, before they realize what’s happening. Otherwise, the slug will secrete its defensive goo and Smith would be unable to collect it.
The Latest Bing News on:
Slug Glue
- Packed at Pillar Pointon January 12, 2021 at 10:35 am
Pillar Point’s reef is unique. Tidepools often run along the coastline, but Pillar Point stretches as far out as a football field on a minus-tide day and hosts at least 650 species. A sunny, low-tide ...
- Meet slugging, the new skincare hack everyone is talking abouton January 11, 2021 at 8:24 pm
The method of hydration first gained popularity in Reddit’s Skincare Addiction forum, where the users claim that they wake up in the morning with remarkably softer and glowing skin after going to ...
- 2023: Oyegun, Ebri back zoning, say S’East, S’South, S’West must slug it outon January 2, 2021 at 2:41 am
“This sense of belonging, through zoning is the only glue that can hold this country together. Any attempt to override it by any section of the country could lead to disastrous consequence ...
- Scientists invent glue activated by magnetic fieldon December 21, 2020 at 4:00 pm
The curing process is necessary to cross-link and bond the glue with the two secured surfaces as the glue crystallizes and hardens to achieve its final strength. NTU's new 'magnetocuring' glue can ...
- Things You Should Avoid To Maintain Healthy Skinon December 2, 2020 at 4:00 pm
3/3 SLIDES Collagen is basically the glue that holds your whole body together ... You can also scatter it around your plants to deter slugs and snails from crawling over. Fertilizer for plants ...
- Inspired by slug slime, this surgical glue is strong enough to patch up a beating hearton November 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm
is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its ...
- The 120 best tracks of the decade 2010-2019 - part 2on December 5, 2019 at 2:41 am
If there was ever a track that, once it became successful, felt like a lifetime achievement award being bequeathed to a production legend, city, and subgenre, it’s K.W. Griff’s ‘Bring In The Katz’.
- How you can save the environment through gardeningon September 27, 2019 at 8:05 am
It’s time to go organic. The first step to encouraging insects and birds into your garden is to ditch all pesticides, weed-killers, fertilisers and slug pellets. To stop slugs ravaging your ...
- How to Keep Snails & Slugs Out of the Planterson July 23, 2018 at 12:25 am
Glue the 1-inch wide strips along the edge of ... This double layer of protection is highly recommended in slug-prone areas, but if you don't like the look of the sandpaper along the rim, you ...
- Slug slime inspires new kind of surgical glueon July 28, 2017 at 5:07 am
Scientists have developed an experimental surgical glue inspired by the mucus secreted by slugs that could offer an alternative to sutures and staples for closing wounds. While some medical glues ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Slug Glue
The Latest Bing News on:
Medical adhesives
- Beaumont victimized by medical equipment thieves, feds sayon January 14, 2021 at 1:02 pm
The indictment describes an inside job involving employees who stole used equipment, including scopes, ear and eye instruments and other supplies.
- Scapa Healthcare Expands Medical-Grade Adhesive Coating Capabilities Globallyon January 13, 2021 at 10:50 pm
Scapa Healthcare, the trusted strategic partner of choice for the world’s leading companies in advanced wound care, consumer wellness and medical device & fixation, today announced expanded ...
- Material Innovation Allows Hot Melt Adhesion With Silicone Rubber in Mass Productionon January 13, 2021 at 5:49 pm
HMA Act as an Interlayer Adhesive to Create Strong Bonds With Silicone Rubber Sheets Hsinchu, Taiwan – – Experienced silicone product maker, ...
- Global Adhesive Tape Market Analysis, Trends, Growth, Size, Share and Forecast 2020 to 2026on January 13, 2021 at 2:36 pm
The Adhesive Tape Market is expected to exceed more than US$ 73.50 Billion by 2024 at a CAGR of 6%. Owing to the increase ...
- Asia Pacific will Account for over 50% Share of Moisture Curing Adhesives Market: Studyon January 13, 2021 at 6:59 am
Moisture curing adhesive manufacturers are leveraging the demand for lightweight automobiles, without having to compromise on structural integrity. DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2021 / Fact.MR ...
- New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesiveon January 12, 2021 at 6:30 am
To bridge the gap between strength and comfort for silicone adhesives used in the medical device market, 3M has introduced a "next generation" of single-coated, non-woven medical tape. Rubber & ...
- The South & Central America medical device adhesive market is expected to reach US$ 928.97 million by 2027 from US$ 563.50 million in 2019on January 12, 2021 at 1:28 am
Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "South and Central America Medical Device Adhesives Market Forecast to ...
- Morari Medical Reports Progress in Development of Wearable Solution to Treat Premature Ejaculationon January 11, 2021 at 5:35 am
Morari Medical, a pioneering sexual health and wellness company, reported progress in the development of the first wearable patch designed ...
- Adhesive Bandages Market: Ability to Facilitate Smooth and Quick Wound Healing to Boost Demand in the Marketon January 11, 2021 at 3:46 am
Transparency Market Research (TMR) has published a new report titled ‘Adhesive Bandages Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2018–2026.’ According to the ...
- Worldwide Adhesive Tapes Industry to 2025 - Increasing Demand from Automotive Industry is Driving Growth - ResearchAndMarkets.comon January 8, 2021 at 6:54 am
Increasing Demand from Automotive Industry is Driving Growth - ResearchAndMarkets.com The “Adhesive Tapes Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)” report has been added to ...