Medical adhesive and methods of tissue adhesion

Abstract

An adhesive including a mixture of isocyanate capped molecules formed by reacting multi-isocyanate functional molecules with multi-functional precursor molecules including terminal functional groups selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a primary amino group and a secondary amino group. Preferably, the functional groups are hydroxyl groups. The multi-functional precursor compounds are biocompatible. Multiamine functional precursors of the multi-isocyanate functional molecules are also biocompatible. As discussed, above, the mixture of molecules preferably has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.1 and, more preferably, has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.5. As also described above, the mixture of molecules preferably has a viscosity in the range of approximately 1 to approximately 100 centipoise. The mixture of molecules forms a crosslinked polymer network upon contact with the organic tissue in the presence of water. The crosslinked polymer network is biocompatible and biodegradable. The crosslinked polymer network degrades into degradation products including the precursor molecules and the multi-amine functional precursors.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to medical adhesives and methods of tissue closure, and more particularly to medical adhesives and methods of tissue bonding in which a mixture of isocyanate functional molecules or prepolymers is applied to tissue. Background technique

[0002] Emergency physicians treat approximately 11,000,000 traumatic wounds each year in the United States. Traumatic wounds and respiratory infections are both the most common reasons people seek medical attention. Conventional methods of tissue closure (eg, sutures and staples) have several serious limitations, including inability to form a fluid-tight closure, unsuitability for microsurgical applications, need for secondary surgery for removal, increased potential for inflammation and infection large, and significant scarring and tissue damage during the intervention. Medical tapes have been used in some applications, but limitations of medical tapes are weak strength and p...

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