Adhesive hydrogels and uses thereof
Inventors
Lee, Daeyeon • Stebe, Kathleen J. • BRADLEY, Laura
Assignees
University of Pennsylvania Penn
Publication Number
US-12404431-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-02
Expiration Date
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Abstract
Adhesive hydrogels comprising a (co)polymer matrix, wherein the adhesive hydrogel comprises at least one rough surface as well as processes for preparing such hydrogels are disclosed.
Core Innovation
Adhesive hydrogels comprising a (co)polymer matrix, wherein the adhesive hydrogel comprises at least one rough surface are disclosed. The present disclosure also relates generally to processes for preparing such hydrogels.
The at least one rough surface is characterized by a "peak/canyon" or peak-valley topography whose peaks form adhesion sites while the valleys form a network of microchannels that allow fluids to drain from between the contact points between the substrate and the adhesive hydrogel, resulting in drying of the contact area which, in turn, further promotes adhesion between the materials, even in wet environments. This surface topography can be random or structured.
The background identifies a need for improved adhesives that can be used effectively in wet environments and underwater because catechol-based adhesives can produce cytotoxic concentrations of reactive oxygen species and current alternatives typically require harsh conditions or fail to adhere substrates with pronounced differences in mechanical properties. The present invention meets this need by providing adhesive hydrogels that adhere to both hard and soft substrates in wet (including underwater and in non-aqueous liquid environments, such as hexadecane and glycerol) and dry environments.
Claims Coverage
This patent contains three independent claims and three main inventive features.
Adhesive hydrogel with peak-valley rough surface and specified feature height
An adhesive hydrogel comprising a (co)polymer matrix, wherein the adhesive hydrogel comprises at least one rough surface that includes at least one feature having a height of from about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers measured perpendicular to a plane in which the adhesive hydrogel lies; the rough surface having a topography characterized as being a peak-valley topography; the (co)polymer matrix comprising any one or more of (i) a homopolymer or a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, (ii) a homopolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate or of poly(ethylene oxide), (iii) a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate or of poly(ethylene oxide), (iv) a homopolymer or a copolymer of poly(propylene oxide), (v) a homopolymer of a copolymer of poly(acrylic acid), (vi) a homopolymer or a copolymer of poly(vinyl alcohol), or (vii) a polysaccharide-based (co)polymer; wherein the topography of the rough surface is randomly arranged; and wherein valleys of the peak/valley topography form a randomly-arranged network of microchannels that allow fluids to drain from contact points between a substrate when contacted to the adhesive hydrogel.
Process to produce hydrogel with at least one rough surface and at least one smooth surface
A process for preparing the adhesive hydrogel comprising at least one rough surface and at least one smooth surface, comprising [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Process to produce hydrogel with two rough surfaces
A process for preparing the adhesive hydrogel comprising two rough surfaces, comprising [procedural detail omitted for safety].
The independent claims recite an adhesive hydrogel characterized by a peak-valley rough surface with specified feature heights and a defined set of (co)polymer matrix compositions, and two processes for preparing hydrogels that yield either a rough and a smooth surface or two rough surfaces by polymerizing a monomer-water reaction mixture in containers with different interior surface topographies.
Stated Advantages
Exhibits adhesion to both hard and soft substrates in both wet (including underwater and in non-aqueous liquid environments, such as hexadecane and glycerol) and dry environments.
Surface topography promotes drainage of fluids through valleys to enable peaks to make contact with substrates, resulting in drying of the contact area and further promoting adhesion even in wet environments.
Compatible with a range of (co)polymer matrices including biocompatible (co)polymers, enabling potential biomedical use.
Successful adhesion in viscous and non-aqueous environments (glycerol and hexadecane) indicating drainage in viscous fluids and that miscibility between hydrogel and fluid environment is not required.
Can adhere substrates with different chemistries and mechanical properties and can tether substrates underwater with adhesion robust enough to withstand bending and folding.
Estimated shear adhesion strength on the order of 1 kPa with demonstrated ability to lift a weighted polystyrene Petri dish suggests practical adhesion strength.
Documented Applications
Biomedical adhesives
Industrial adhesives
Bandages
Wound repair
Contact lenses
Surgery
Surgically implanted medical devices
Drug delivery
Underwater tethering of polystyrene, polydimethylsiloxane, or non-adhesive hydrogel substrates
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