Researchers develop glue that seals wounds in seconds

Medical experts can soon bid goodbye to older methods of sealing up wounds, as researchers have developed a new surgical glue that can seal wounds within 60 seconds.

Scientists have created an elastic and adhesive surgical glue called MeTro, which can change the methods that are used to seal up wounds in skins or organs. The glue can replace methods of using staples or stitches, reducing the healing time by half along with simplifying the procedures.

The gel is based on methacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin and a hybrid elastic protein. It can be squeezed on internal and external wounds to seal them and help healing them quickly. As soon as the glue is applied, the sealant is kept under ultraviolent light for securing it. As per the team, this new invention could actually be a lifesaver by sealing up wounds in a minute without stopping natural expanding and relaxing of the organ or the skin.

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Publishing their research in Science Translational Medicine, one of the team members Nasim Annabi explained, “We then further stabilize it by curing it on-site with a short light-mediated cross linking treatment. This allows the sealant to be very accurately placed and to tightly bond and interlock with structures on the tissue surface.”

Being easy to apply, the gel can also be stored and works directly with natural tissues for healing. Also, it degrades without leaving any marks or toxic behind. However, for now the glue has only been tested on animals but, the human trials are also in works, reported Science Alert.

“The beauty of the MeTro formulation is that, as soon as it comes in contact with tissue surfaces, it solidifies into a gel-like phase without running away,” said Annabi.

Researchers firmly believe that the gel could have numerous benefits when used commercially. Another researcher Anthony Weiss informed, “The potential applications are powerful – from treating serious internal wounds at emergency sites such as following car accidents and in war zones, as well as improving hospital surgeries.”

According to Science Daily, the next step is to perform tests on humans. Weiss continued, “We have shown MeTro works in a range of different settings and solves problems other available sealants can't. We're now ready to transfer our research into testing on people. I hope MeTro will soon be used in the clinic, saving human lives.”