Adhesive Glue Research Articles

The role of capture spiral silk properties in the diversification of orb webs

Among a myriad of spider web geometries, the orb web presents a fascinating, exquisite example in architecture and evolution. Orb webs can be divided into two categories according to the capture silk used in construction: cribellate orb webs (composed of pseudoflagelliform silk) coated with dry cribellate threads and ecribellate orb webs (composed of flagelliform silk fibres) coated by adhesive glue droplets. Cribellate capture silk is generally stronger but less-extensible than viscid capture silk, and a body of phylogenic evidence suggests that cribellate capture silk is more closely related to the ancestral form of capture spiral silk. Here, we use a coarse-grained web model to investigate how the mechanical properties of spiral capture silk affect the behaviour of the whole web, illustrating that more elastic capture spiral silk yields a decrease in web system energy absorption, suggesting that the function of the capture spiral shifted from prey capture to other structural roles. Additionally, we observe that in webs with more extensible capture silk, the effect of thread strength on web performance is reduced, indicating that thread elasticity is a dominant driving factor in web diversification.

The treatment of recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistula with biosynthetic mesh

1,2 the incidence of which is reported as 5 - 15%. Secondary recurrences following fistula re-closure are also not uncommon. 3 Traditional therapy for a recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistula (RTF) involves a repeat thoracotomy, with its associated risks and significant morbidity. An endoscopic procedure provides an attractive alternative. Use of a bronchoscopic technique was first reported in 1975 by Gdanietz and Krause, 4 who used histo-acryl adhesive to close an RTF. Since then, a variety of other endoscopic techniques have been reported. The strategies employed in these techniques include plugging the fistula with fibrin glue or tissue adhesives, 3 plugging it after de-epithelisation of the fistula, 5,6 or obliteration of the fistula using cauterisation or laser therapy. 7 More than one treatment session was needed in most of the cases reported in which these techniques were used. Recently Keckler et al. 8 reported successful obliteration of an RTF with two successive applications of Surgisis biological mesh (Cooke Inc., Bloomington, Ind.). Encouraged by their results, we used Permacol (TissueScience, Hampshire, UK), a porcine dermal biological mesh, on a 6-month-old baby with an RTF. Only a single application of Permacol was necessary. In this patient, rigid bronchoscopy revealed a recurrent fistula a few millimetres proximal to the carina. To create a raw surface, de-epithelisation of the fistula tract was performed with an endoscopic brush. Using an endoscopic grasper, a 3 mm × 3 mm piece of Permacol was introduced and pushed into the fistula until it was seen through a gastroscope to be close to the opening in the oesophagus. Four more similar pieces of Permacol were introduced. DuraSeal (Confluent Surgical Inc., Waltham, Mass.) was then injected into the fistula tract with an extended tip applicator. The DuraSeal was used to seal off the Permacol and keep it in position. The patient was extubated and kept on nasogastric feeds for 48 hours, after which oral feeds were started. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. A postoperative oesophagram on day 4 was normal. The patient continued to recover and remained asymptomatic 24 months after this procedure. Permacol provides a long-lasting and stable collagen lattice that allows the incorporation of fibroblasts and capillaries to form a growing scar. Experimental evidence suggests that the biosynthetic scaffold degrades over time, but that the tissue remodelling that replaces it is stronger than the native tissue. The use of biosynthetic mesh has gained wide acceptance. It has been used with encouraging results in the repair of diaphragmatic hernias, abdominal and thoracic wall defects and para-oesophageal hernias. 9-11 The bronchoscopic placement of biosynthetic mesh is an added modality in the treatment of the difficult problem of RTF, and holds great promise. This bronchoscopic procedure is easy to perform and is repeatable if necessary. It is a much less invasive and less risky procedure than the alternative, repeat thoracotomy, and should be considered as a good treatment option for patients with an RTF.

Preparation of Bone Glue Adhesives Using Epichlorohydrin Modification

In order to solve the problem of that traditional bone glue adhesives were solid in room, a new technology of bone glue modifying was introduced. Epichlorohydrin was used as grafting agent, and then the modified bone glue was crosslinked with each other to obtain the novel bone glue adhesive. The effect factors such as the ratio of water and bone glue, the amount of sodium hydroxide, the time of reaction were studied to develop the modifying technics which was different to the traditional way.

C18-coated stir bar sorptive extraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of sulfonamides in milk and milk powder

A simple, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and less sample consuming method of C18-stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)–high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was proposed for the determination of six sulfonamides in milk and milk powder samples. C18 silica particles coated stir bar was prepared by adhesion method, and two kinds of adhesive glue, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sol and epoxy glue were tried. It was found that the C18-coated stir bar prepared by PDMS sol as adhesive glue is more robust than that prepared by epoxy glue when liquid desorption was employed, in terms of both lifetime and organic solvent tolerance. The preparation of C18 stir bar was simple with good mechanic strength and the stir bar could be reused for more than 20 times. Granular coating has relatively high specific surface area and is propitious to sorptive extraction based process. Compared to conventional PDMS SBSE coating, C18 coating shows good affinity to the target polar/weak polar sulfonamides. To achieve optimum SBSE extraction performance, several parameters including extraction and desorption time, ionic strength, sample pH and stirring speed were investigated. The detection limits of the proposed method for six sulfonamides were in the range of 0.9–10.5μg/L for milk and 2.7–31.5μg/kg for milk powder. Good linearities were obtained for sulfonamides with the correlation coefficients (R) above 0.9922. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of sulfonamides in milk and milk powder samples and satisfied recoveries of spiked target compounds in real samples were obtained.

Graphene oxide based conductive glue as a binder for ultracapacitor electrodes

An adhesive and conductive glue was created by synergistic assembly of graphene oxide (GO), single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and conjugate polymer PEDOT:PSS in aqueous solution. The GO–SWCNTs–PEDOT:PSS glue can be used as a binder to fabricate metal oxide nanoparticle based ultracapacitors. Since the functional nanoparticles are immersed in this conductive gel, uniform electrical and mechanical interconnect can be achieved, leading to enhanced performance of ultracapacitors.

Changes in the Adhesive Properties of Spider Aggregate Glue During the Evolution of Cobwebs

We compare the prey capture glues produced by orb-weaving spiders (viscid glue) and their evolutionary descendents, the cobweb-weaving spiders (gumfoot glue). These glues are produced in homologous glands but exhibit contrasting structure, properties and response to changing humidity. Individual glue droplet stretching measurements indicate that the gumfoot glue behaves like a viscoelastic liquid in contrast to the viscid glue, which behaves like a viscoelastic solid. Moreover, the gumfoot glue is largely humidity-resistant – elasticity and adhesion are constant across variation in humidity and there is weak volume-dependence. Viscid glue, however, is highly humidity-sensitive. The glue expands an order of magnitude and demonstrates a monotonous reduction in elasticity under increased humidity, while glue adhesion optimizes at intermediate levels of humidity. We suggest that observed differences are due to different ‘tackifiers' used in these systems. These results shall inspire future efforts in fabricating stimuli-resistant and stimuli-sensitive materials.

Adrenergic Regulation of AMP-activated Protein Kinase in Brown Adipose Tissue in Vivo

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an evolutionarily conserved serine-threonine kinase that senses cellular energy status, is activated by stress and neurohumoral stimuli. We investigated the mechanisms by which adrenergic signaling alters AMPK activation in vivo. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is highly enriched in sympathetic innervation, which is critical for regulation of energy homeostasis. We performed unilateral denervation of BAT in wild type (WT) mice to abolish neural input. Six days post-denervation, UCP-1 protein levels and AMPK α2 protein and activity were reduced by 45%. In β(1,2,3)-adrenergic receptor knock-out mice, unilateral denervation led to a 25-45% decrease in AMPK activity, protein expression, and Thr(172) phosphorylation. In contrast, acute α- or β-adrenergic blockade in WT mice resulted in increased AMPK α Thr(172) phosphorylation and AMPK α1 and α2 activity in BAT. But short term blockade of α-adrenergic signaling in β(1,2,3)-adrenergic receptor knock-out mice resulted in decreased AMPK activity in BAT, which strongly correlated with enhanced phosphorylation of AMPK on Ser(485/491), a site associated with inhibition of AMPK activity. Both PKA and AKT inhibitors attenuated AMPK Ser(485/491) phosphorylation resulting from α-adrenergic blockade and prevented decreases in AMPK activity. In vitro mechanistic studies in BAT explants showed that the effects of α-adrenergic blockade appeared to be secondary to inhibition of oxygen consumption. In conclusion, adrenergic pathways regulate AMPK activity in vivo acutely via alterations in Thr(172) phosphorylation and chronically through changes in the α catalytic subunit protein levels. Furthermore, AMPK α Ser(485/491) phosphorylation may be a novel mechanism to inhibit AMPK activity in vivo and alter its biological effects.

Transmucosal O2 and CO2 exchange rates for the human middle ear

Estimate the transmucosal CO(2) and O(2) rate-constants for adult middle ears (MEs). Ten adults with healthy MEs had a unilateral myringotomy. A custom-fitted acrylic mold with a valved line to a mass spectrometer (MS) and central tube coupled to a 3-way valve and connected to a pressure transducer (the probe) was sealed with adhesive glue within the ipsilateral ear-canal. A second 3-way valve was attached to the probe valve, a flow-regulated tank gas source and paired syringes. Volumes of the ME and probe were measured. On sequential days, the probe+ME was washed for 15-min with 6% O(2), Balance N(2) and 25% O(2), 6% CO(2), Balance N(2) to create transmucosal CO(2) and O(2) gradients, respectively. After washing, the probe+ME was isolated from the gas source, and baseline and 10-min gas samples were obtained for MS analysis of gas partial-pressures. The rates of change in ME CO(2) and O(2) pressures were divided by their established transmucosal gradients to yield CO(2) and O(2) rate-constants. The average (±STD) transmucosal CO(2) and O(2) rate-constants were 0.062 ± 0.034 (N=10, range: 0.032-0.119) and 0.011 ± 0.009 (N=8, range: 0.002-0.032)mmHg/min/mmHg, respectively. The average half-life for the CO(2) and O(2) gradient was 11.1 and 61.6 min. The average CO(2):O(2) rate-constant ratio was 8.1 ± 4.0 (N=8, range: 3.6-14.6). For adult human MEs, transmucosal CO(2) exchange is rapid and much faster than transmucosal O(2) exchange. The estimated CO(2)/O(2) rate-constant ratio for the human ME is not consistent with that predicted for diffusion-limited gas exchange across a water-based barrier.

Comparison of classical surgery and sutureless repair with DuraSeal or fibrin glue for duodenal perforation in rats

The purpose of the study was to compare classical primary suture repair and sutureless repair with fibrin glue or DuraSeal adhesion barrier for the closure of duodenal perforation in rats. Forty adult female Wistar Albino rats weighing between 250-300 g were randomly divided into four equal groups. Primary repair, primary repair and omentoplasty, or application of fibrin glue or DuraSeal adhesion barrier was performed in each of the four groups, respectively. The bursting pressure, tissue hydroxyproline levels and histopathology were evaluated. Bursting pressure values of the primary repair and primary repair and omentoplasty groups were significantly higher than in the fibrin glue and DuraSeal groups (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the experimental groups regarding hydroxyproline levels and histological parameters. The sutureless methods (Fibrin glue, DuraSeal) have no superior effects when compared with the conventional repair techniques. We observed similar results between the sutureless repair groups; thus, DuraSeal can be considered an alternative to fibrin glue for this purpose. This suggestion must be supported with new studies, however, which would be planned with other wound healing markers and different designs.

183: Use of adhesive glues for the treatment of first degreee perineal tears: a prospective randomized controlled trial

183: Use of adhesive glues for the treatment of first degreee perineal tears: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Atividade do acaricida etoxazol sobre a mortalidade e reprodução do ácaro-da-leprose Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), em citros

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade do acaricida etoxazol, no controle e reprodução do ácaro B. phoenicis. Para tanto, foram demarcadas com cola adesiva arenas de cinco centímetros de diâmetro em frutos de citros com alta infestação do ácaro. O ensaio foi delineado em parcelas inteiramente casualizadas, com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições. Em cada arena foram contados o número de ácaros adultos, jovens e ovos. Os tratamentos constaram dos seguintes acaricidas e doses em g i.a./100 L de água: etoxazol 110 SC (1,1; 1,65; 2,75 e 5,5); hexitiazoxi 500 PM (0,75); flufenoxuron 100 CE (3); cihexatina 500 PM (25), aplicados diretamente sobre as arenas. Os frutos foram mantidos em câmara de germinação tipo BOD. com temperatura de 25 ± 2 ºC e fotofase de 12 horas. Diariamente, foram contados o número de ácaros adultos, jovens e ovos, com auxílio de microscópio esteroscópio. Os parâmetros avaliados foram a atividade ovicida, esterilização de fêmeas e efeito sobre formas jovens. Constatou-se que o etoxazol provocou mortalidade de formas jovens do ácaro-da-leprose superior a 95%, nas doses a partir de 1,1 g i.a. /100 L de água. Ovos tratados com etoxazol, nas doses a partir de 1,65 g i.a. /100 L de água, apresentaram inviabilidade média de 60%. O etoxazol apresentou efeito esterilizante sobre fêmeas nas doses a partir de 2,75 g i.a./100 L de água, inviabilizando 95% dos ovos.

Validity of Conventional Radiography in Determining Scaphoid Waist Fracture Displacement

This study examines interpreter accuracy and interobserver agreement in evaluating conventional radiographs for scaphoid waist fracture displacement. Six fresh-frozen cadaver arms were obtained transected above the elbow. A waist fracture was created in each scaphoid. In a random fashion, three of the fractures were displaced 1 mm in the radial-ulnar plane, whereas the other three were reapproximated to anatomic position before all fractures were stabilized with radiolucent adhesive glue. A three-view conventional radiography series consisting of a posterior-anterior, lateral, and ulnar-deviated elongated scaphoid view was obtained for each wrist. Each radiograph was then presented in the same sequence for interpretation to six independent observers: two hand surgeons, two musculoskeletal radiologists, and two senior orthopaedic surgery residents who were all blinded to the actual fracture pattern. In 14 of the 18 (78%) displaced fracture radiographic series, the interpreters correctly recognized displacement being present. However, displacement was also reported in six of the 18 (33%) nondisplaced fracture series. The estimated overall accuracy of all readings for distinguishing between displaced and nondisplaced fractures was 72%. Of the 90 total possible pairwise agreements between interpreters regarding fracture displacement, there were 54 actual agreements (60%), and kappa was estimated to be 0.31. Taken together, these two measures of agreement can be interpreted as indicating poor to moderate agreement. Our results suggest that conventional radiography is not reliable in determining 1-mm scaphoid waist fracture displacement in the radioulnar plane and also indicated a lack of strong interobserver agreement.

Identification of covalent binding sites of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in human hemoglobin using LC/MS/MS techniques

Acrylates are used in vast quantities, for instance in paints, adhesive glues, molding. They are potent contact allergens and known to cause respiratory hypersensitivity and asthma. Here we study ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ECA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). There are only limited possibilities to measure the exposure to acrylates, especially for biological monitoring. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical structures of adducts formed after reaction of hemoglobin (Hb) with ECA, MMA, and HEMA. This information may be used to identify adducted Hb peptides for biological monitoring of exposure to acrylates. Hb-conjugates with ECA, MMA, and HEMA were synthesized in vitro. The conjugates were digested by trypsin and pronase E. Adducted peptides were characterized and analyzed by liquid chromatography and nano electro spray/hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) as well as tandem quadrupole MS. The search for the adducted peptides was facilitated by visualizing the MS data by different computer programs. The results showed that ECA binds covalently to cysteines at the 104 position in the α and the position 112 in the β-chains in Hb. MMA and HEMA bound to all the cysteines in both chains, Cys 104 in the α-chain and Cys 93 and 112 in the β-chain. The full-length spectra of in un-digested Hb confirmed this binding pattern. There was no reaction with N-acetyl- l-lysine at physiological pH. The adducted peptides were possible to measure using LC/MS/MS in selected reaction monitoring mode. These peptides may be used for biological monitoring of exposure to ECA, MMA and HEMA.

A tissue adhesives evaluated in vitro and in vivo analysis

In this study, three kinds of two-component adhesive glues were prepared, namely, gel-dext glue made from modified gelatin and dextran, gel-HES glue made from modified gelatin and hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and chit-dext glue made from chitosan and modified dextran. Upon mixing the two-component solution together crosslinking occurred and a gel formed in several seconds, which would seal the wound tissue and stop the bleeding. The adhesive ability of those three prepared glues was evaluated in vitro and in vivo separately by measuring the bonding strength to two piece of porcine skin and the adhesive strength after sealing the skin incisions on the back of rat. Fibrin glue was used as comparing. Gel-dext glue and gel-HES glue shown higher bonding strength and adhesive strength than chit-dext glue and fibrin glue. Histology test of incision tissues given by both HE and MTC methods, the former shown that gel-dext and gel-HES glues, like fibrin glue, have only normal initial inflammation to skin tissue, which almost disappear from 9 days but chit-dext glue seams have heaver inflammation, which may last to 12 days; the later shown gel-dext and gel-HES glues similar to fibrin glue, can heal the wound fast than that of chit-dext glue. The hemostatic ability for gel-HES glue was also tested on a cut liver of rat, which depend on the gel formation speed when the two-composite solutions were mixed together. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.

High-Current Backside-Illuminated Photodiode Array Module for Optical Analog Links

We have developed a high-current photodiode (PD) array module that consists of a beam splitter, which splits a light beam from a single-mode fiber into four beams with identical powers, a backside-illuminated InGaAs p-i-n PD array, and a two-stage Wilkinson RF power combiner. To obtain a linear PD response, the PD is equipped with a partially depleted absorber, which reduces the bias voltage. To prevent thermal failure, the backside-illuminated PD structure is used, which reduces the thermal resistivity. The beam splitter is fabricated using optical contacts at the SiO2 interfaces between a coating film and a neighboring prism to prevent degradation of the adhesive glue at the prism interfaces along the optical path; therefore, light with a power of a watt level can be used. The two-stage Wilkinson combiner combines four RF outputs of the PD array into a single-RF output through a K connector; the combiner also works as an impedance-matching circuit. Experimental results reveal that an RF power output of 29.0 dBm can be obtained at a frequency of 5 GHz, and good intermodulation distortion characteristics with a third-order intercept point of 32.5 dBm can be achieved.

Using Microgripper in Development of Automatic Adhesive Glue Transferring and Binding Microassembly System

A system using microgripper for gluing and adhesive bonding in automatic microassembly was designed, implemented, and tested. The development of system is guided by axiomatic design principle. With a compliant PU microgripper, regional-edge-statistics (RES) algorithm, and PD controller, a visual-servoing system was implemented for gripping micro object, gluing adhesive, and operating adhesive bonding. The RES algorithm estimated and tracked a gripper’s centroid to implement a visual-servoing control in the microassembly operation. The main specifications of the system are: gripping range of 60~80μm, working space of 7mm×5.74mm×15mm, system bandwidth of 15Hz. In the performance test, a copper rod with diameter 60μm was automatically gripped and transported for transferring glue and bonding. The 60μm copper rod was dipped into a glue container and moved, pressed and bonding to a copper rod of 380μm. The amount of binding glue was estimated about 5.7nl.

Toluene Related Toxic Optic Neuropathy

ABSTRACTToxic optic neuropathy presenting as bilateral painless visual loss causing central or caecocentral scotoma has a wide differential diagnosis. In this report, we present a rare cause of toxic optic neuropathy presenting as almost indistinct optic disc margins in both eyes in a 30-year old man with blurred vision and difficulty in walking and in writing with a history of adhesive glue sniffing. Caecocentral scotomas in the visual fields; increased total error scores on Farnsworth-Munsell (FM) 100 Hue testing; P100 reduced amplitude in the pattern visually evoked potentials; and N95 reduced amplitude in the pattern electroretinogram associated with normal serum electrolytes and vitamin levels suggested acute toxic optic neuropathy related to toluene. Upon cessation of toluene use, the caecocentral scotomas almost disappeared, total error scores in the FM 100 Hue test decreased and visual acuity improved.

Skin Adhesive Versus Subcuticular Suture for Perineal Skin Repair After Episiotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

During the puerperium, surgical repair of perineal lesions is frequently associated with pain and discomfort interfering with the normal daily activities. The use of skin adhesive glue (octyl-2-cyanoacrilate) is a relatively new method for repair of cutaneous lesions that appears to be a safe and rapid alternative to a continuous subcuticular suture of the perineal skin, a traditional method commonly used in many countries. Preliminary studies suggested several advantages of skin adhesive over other types of suture. However, these studies had small sample sizes, lacked a control group, were not randomized or did not use subcuticular suture for comparison. This randomized controlled trial compared the skin adhesive glue with continuous subcuticular suture for perineal skin repair after episiotomy. A total of 100 women having mediolateral episiotomy at vaginal delivery were randomized to receive either skin adhesive (n = 53) or subcuticular suture (n = 47) for closure of perineal skin. The primary study outcome was self-assessed perineal pain during the first 30 days after delivery. Secondary outcomes included technical difficulties and duration of the perineal repair procedure, wound complications at 42 to 68 hours or in the first 30 days after repair, and the reinitiation of sexual activity by 30 days postpartum. To evaluate these outcome measures, patients were asked to complete a daily questionnaire. Forty-nine (92%) of the women in the skin adhesive group and 37 (79%) of those in the subcuticular suture group returned the questionnaire. No significant differences between the 2 groups were reported in the incidence of pain, technical difficulties, or failure of the perineal repair procedure. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the number of wound complications observed at 42 to 68 hours, in reinitiation of sexual activity by the 30th day postpartum, self-reported measures of pain at 7 and 30 days, or the need to be evaluated at a healthcare facility within 30 days. The only significant difference between the 2 study groups was a 4 minute shorter duration of wound repair with the skin adhesive. Compared to continuous subcuticular suture repair of episiotomy, the only advantage of skin adhesive devices appears to be a slightly shorter duration of surgical repair, which is of questionable clinical significance. The investigators conclude that these findings provide no evidence to support the use of skin adhesive devices in episiotomy repair.

Skin adhesive versus subcuticular suture for perineal skin repair after episiotomy – a randomized controlled trial

Surgical repair of perineal lesions after delivery is frequently associated with pain and discomfort, interfering with the normal activities of the puerperium. The aim of this study was to compare perineal skin repair after episiotomy with adhesive glue versus a subcuticular suture, regarding the incidence of pain and wound complications. Randomized clinical trial. Tertiary care university hospital. One hundred women having mediolateral episiotomy at vaginal delivery were enrolled. They were randomized to receive skin adhesive (n = 53) or subcuticular suture (n = 47) for closure of perineal skin. The main outcome measure was self-evaluated pain in the 30 days following delivery. Secondary outcome measures were technical difficulties reported with the procedure, duration of surgical repair, wound complications observed at 42-68 hours post-partum and re-initiation of sexual activity by 30 days post-partum. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in incidence of technical difficulties and failed procedures, pain during the procedure, wound complications at hospital discharge, self-evaluated measures of pain at 7 and 30 days or re-initiation of sexual activity by 30 days post-partum. The skin adhesive group had a significantly shorter mean duration of the procedure (four minutes less). Perineal skin closure using adhesive glue is faster than subcuticular suture, and associated with a similar incidence of complications and pain in the first 30 days.

Clinical Prospect of Applying the Chemical Bile Duct Embolization to Achieve a Chemical Hepatectomy in the Treatment of Highly Selected Hepatolithiasis

The high recurrence rate of hepatolithiasis, together with the high operative risk of hepatectomy for specifically located stones shows that an effective treatment for intrahepatic stones has not been settled upon. It is commonly accepted that a diseased biliary duct mucosa is a prerequisite for the development of intrahepatic stones, and that segmental biliary obstruction is able to induce hepatic atrophy, fibrosis, and "self-cut" the obstructed hepatic segment. Therefore, we previously put forward the hypothesis that performing deliberate chemical bile duct embolization (CBDE) to induce a segmental chemical hepatectomy might be the way of treating hepatolithiasis. In this study, we review the relative experimental basis for CBDE, preliminary report on its clinical use in 2 patients, and speculate on its future application. To completely embolize a diseased biliary duct, absolute ethanol or phenol is firstly used to ablate the biliary mucosa and eradicate biliary bacteria. Subsequently, cyanoacrylate or tissue adhesive glue is used to permanently fill the duct lumen, occupying the space where the stones would have formed. Our prior laboratory investigations and preliminary clinical treatments have confirmed that this combination of embolization agents could not only achieve the desired aim of preventing stone recurrence but could also lead to complete atrophy of the targeted hepatic segment, thereby achieving a chemical hepatectomy. In the future, CBDE is likely to help in resolving the problem of calculous recurrence and thereby reduce the incidence of surgical reintervention and endoscopic stone extractions, which are so frequently needed in patients with hepatolithiasis. Also chemical hepatectomy might provide a new less-invasive hepatectomy method, especially for the more difficult resections of the caudate or right posterior lobes.