Super sticky tape is safe for open wounds

American scientists at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston have designed a super-adhesive plasterboard that can heal and restore open wounds without sewing.

The use of staples and stitches to fix the wound during skin graft surgery often causes tissue damage. To solve the problem, Dr. Jeffrey Karp and colleagues conducted a natural study of the parasite called Pomphorhynchus laevis . This parasite often clings to the intestinal wall of the host, using its thorny head to penetrate the surface and then let the spines expand so that it can adhere to the intestine.

Inspired by this parasite, Dr. Karp studied the product that simulates the same mechanism, which uses a series of tiny needles made of pointed and hard plastic in dry conditions, but after exposure to wet tissue, they expand to adhere to the wound surface.

According to Dr. Karp: "This unique design allows needles to stick to soft tissues, but the level of damage is negligible. Moreover, when removing adhesives it is also less likely to cause injury to tissues, blood and nerves, while reducing the risk of infection ".

Experts say the tape uses three times more durable materials than the materials currently used to treat burn patients. In addition, it can also be used to inject subcutaneous medications through tiny needles.