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Reversible electroadhesion of hydrogels to animal tissues for suture-less repair of cuts or tears

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  • Leah K. Borden

    (University of Maryland)

  • Ankit Gargava

    (University of Maryland)

  • Srinivasa R. Raghavan

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

Electroadhesion, i.e., adhesion induced by an electric field, occurs between non-sticky cationic and anionic hydrogels. Here, we demonstrate electroadhesion between cationic gels and animal (bovine) tissues. When gel and tissue are placed under an electric field (DC, 10 V) for 20 s, the pair strongly adhere, and the adhesion persists indefinitely thereafter. Applying the DC field with reversed polarity eliminates the adhesion. Electroadhesion works with the aorta, cornea, lung, and cartilage. We demonstrate the use of electroadhesion to seal cuts or tears in tissues or model anionic gels. Electroadhered gel-patches provide a robust seal over openings in bovine aorta, and a gel sleeve is able to rejoin pieces of a severed gel tube. These studies raise the possibility of using electroadhesion in surgery while obviating the need for sutures. Advantages include the ability to achieve adhesion on-command, and moreover the ability to reverse this adhesion in case of error.

Suggested Citation

  • Leah K. Borden & Ankit Gargava & Srinivasa R. Raghavan, 2021. "Reversible electroadhesion of hydrogels to animal tissues for suture-less repair of cuts or tears," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24022-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24022-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhizhi Zhang & Chenxi Qin & Haiyan Feng & Yangyang Xiang & Bo Yu & Xiaowei Pei & Yanfei Ma & Feng Zhou, 2022. "Design of large-span stick-slip freely switchable hydrogels via dynamic multiscale contact synergy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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