Tissue adhesive composite with 2D gradient modulus for effective wound closure on tissue with anisotropic properties

Abstract

Wound closure on tissue with anisotropic elastic modulus in dynamic conditions is challenging. Tissue adhesive hydrogel with homogenous modulus could not effectively prevent wound tear in dynamic conditions, while previously reported tissue adhesive composite with one-dimensional gradient modulus properties was not effective for wound closure on tissue with anisotropic properties. To deal with this issue, this study presents a strategy to design the biocompatible tissue adhesive composite with two-dimensional anisotropic gradient modulus, which is composed of a tissue adhesive matrix and a micro-mesh backbone. A numerically controlled angular solution blow spinning technique was developed to fabricate the micro-mesh with controllable gradient modulus properties. Using the micro-mesh as the backbone, tissue adhesive composite of two-dimensional anisotropic gradient modulus properties (2D A-GmTAC) could be conveniently prepared. Through systematic investigation and simulation, 2D A-GmTAC can effectively prevent wound tear and minimize stress concentration on tissue with tissue with anisotropic elastic modulus, demonstrating superior performance over its counterpart with isotropic elastic modulus properties. This study thus provides an effective solution for the management of challenging wounds on tissue with anisotropic elastic properties in dynamic conditions.