Biocompatible CaproGlu bonds wet wounds in seconds

In a paper published in Biomaterials, researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and clinicians from Singapore General Hospital showed that their glue can bond soft tissues including muscle and blood vessels, even when their surfaces are wet. The adhesive could serve also as a platform to deliver pain relief drugs.

New glue could replace surgical sutures and staples

CaproGlu is activated by a low dose of ultraviolet light that cures it in seconds, turning it from a liquid glue into a solid but flexible biorubber that can be resorbed by the tissue after a few weeks.

The team showed in animal experiments that blood vessels can be rejoined with four stitches and a mesh wrapper dipped in CaproGlu, compared to the eight stitches that are required for a reliable and unobstructed join.

CaproGlu can also be used to deliver local anaesthetics or pain relief medication to tissues in the body, which may be useful during and after an operation and would reduce the need for pain relief medication to be administered afterwards.