Develop super-elastic gel, remove the wound from peeling

When the wound is in the correct position of the joint, the medical patch will always peel off. In the future, this will never happen again.

Unfortunately a small wound on your hand, which you will think of immediately is to find a medical patch. However, it will be uncomfortable when the wound is in the correct position of the joint, the patch will always peel off.

In the future, this will never happen again, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are developing a super-elastic gel-like material . That may be the start of an era of wound healing with outstanding effectiveness. Medical patches can even integrate sensors, medicines and some electronic components in them.

Super elastic material for smart medical stickers.

In the scientific article published in Advanced Material, the researchers explain "the animal and human bodies are mostly made up of hydrogels." These are polymer networks (a large molecule with many repetitive chemical subunits) that have a water-retaining function in solid form. In hydrogel, 90% of the composition is water, the remaining 10% are polymers.

For a long time, scientists have been trying to figure out a way to mimic the natural hydrogels in animals. However, all efforts are limited by "low strength and mechanical resilience " polymers . They mostly become brittle and easy to break.

In their new study, scientists at MIT used a new polymer called polyacrylamide . Thus, the hydrogel they developed became "durable, strong, very elastic, exhibiting many biological compatibility properties and many interesting properties".

Integrated testing electronic components and drug distribution channels.

For example, a piece of this hydrogel can cling to the right when we stick it on the knee, elbow joints and move them. It can also integrate inside titanium, LED or electronic chips. And most importantly, with the durability and superiority of this hydrogel, it can keep electronic components sustainable under harsh conditions.

Researchers have demonstrated that they can create several channels of drug delivery via patches. Even a few packages of medicine can be pre-attached and stored in the hydrogel layer. It is the first door for future medical smart patches and bandages.

"It's a very flexible network , " explained Hyunwoo Yuk, a member of the research team. "The unique ability here is a smart medical patch or band that will integrate everything inside. For example, a sensor can record and monitor body temperature, multiple packages of medicines and channels. distribution ".

With many sensors and pieces of tape in different places on the body, we can better monitor the condition of the patient. Drug reserves and distribution channels help pharmaceutical dispersion more effective and sustainable over time. That is the future of smart medical patches and tapes.