Adhesive Patch Research Articles

Lubricating adhesive hyaluronate patch promotes cartilage regeneration and functional restoration in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by gradual deterioration and pain. Viscosupplementation, involving hyaluronic acid (HA) injection into the affected joint, is a minimally invasive option to reduce pain by improving joint lubrication and potentially avoiding the need for replacement surgery. However, the low adhesion and rapid degradation of HA often lead to inadequate therapeutic effects. In this study, we present lubricating adhesive HA-based hydrogel patches designed to effectively treat OA. The HA patches, modified with pyrogallol, have high elastic and compressive moduli, delaying degradation when exposed to external stimuli. Furthermore, they securely adhere to cartilage tissue surfaces and efficiently lubricate damaged cartilage, leading to a reduced friction and wear. In addition to these benefits, our HA patches exhibit scavenging effect of reactive oxygen species and sustainably release an encapsulated anti-inflammatory drug (dexamethasone: Dex). These features further enhance their therapeutic potential for OA treatment. In a mouse OA model, the hydrogel patches loaded with Dex promote healing of damaged cartilage and restore its motor function. Overall, our bioinspired HA hydrogel patches present a promising treatment option for managing the debilitating joint disease by offering enhanced adhesion, lubrication for cartilage protection, antioxidant effect, and sustained drug release.

Dual cross-linking mechanism of sodium alginate composite hydrogel for adhesive microneedle patch preparation

The introduction of microneedles has revolutionized transdermal drug delivery. However, solid microneedle patches often fail to conform to the epidermis and adapt to changes in skin curvature, limiting their effectiveness. Using sodium alginate hydrogel to create flexible microneedle patches can address this issue, but conventional sodium alginate hydrogels suffer from inhomogeneous structure, dehydration, and poor mechanical properties. These drawbacks result in reduced drug delivery efficacy and insufficient mechanical robustness. To enhance the performance of sodium alginate hydrogels, this study presents a novel sodium alginate composite hydrogel with a dual cross-linking mechanism. The hydrogel, with a gelatin to sodium alginate ratio of 1:1, exhibited optimal surface morphology and mechanical properties suitable for microneedle patch preparation. The resulting microneedle patch demonstrated excellent water adhesion, securely attaching to skin and oral mucosa surfaces. In vitro experiments confirmed the microneedle's ability to puncture and release the drug, dissolving and releasing the drug within 15 minutes. The patch also showed superior piercing and dissolution properties on the mouth palate, highlighting it may serve as a potential delivery location for more efficient microneedle patch drug administration. In the future, this technology will show great potential in expanding the scope of drug administration for transdermal drug delivery and in reducing the work pressure of healthcare professionals.

A bioinspired switchable adhesive patch with adhesion and suction mechanisms for laparoscopic surgeries

Medical adhesives play an important role in clinical medicine because of their flexibility and convenient operation. However, they are still limited to laparoscopic surgeries, which have demonstrated urgent demand for liver retraction with minimal damage to the human body. Here, inspired by the suction cup structure of octopus, an adhesive patch with excellent mechanical properties, robust and switchable adhesiveness, and biocompatibility is proposed. The adhesive patch is combined by the attachment body mainly made of poly(acrylic acid) grafted with N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, crosslinked biodegradable gelatin methacrylate and biodegradable biopolymer gelatin to mimic the adhesive sucker rim, and the temperature-sensitive telescopic layer of microgel-crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) to shrink and form internal cavity with reduced pressure. Through mechanical tests, adhesion evaluation, and biocompatibility analysis, the bioinspired adhesive patch has demonstrated its capacity not only in adhesion to tissues but also in potential treatment for medical applications, especially laparoscopic technology. The bioinspired adhesive patch can break through the limitations of traditional retraction methods, and become an ideal candidate for liver retraction in laparoscopic surgery and related clinical medicine.

An Octopus-Inspired Stimulus-Responsive Structural Color Hydrogel for Uterus Cervical Canal Stent.

Soft-bodied aquatic organisms have exhibited remarkable capabilities in navigating and moving within liquid environments serving as a profound inspiration for the development of bionic robots with intricate movements. Traditional rigid components are being replaced by stimulus-responsive soft materials such as hydrogels and shape memory polymers, leading to the creation of dynamically responsive soft robots. In this study, the development of a bionic robot inspired by the shape of an octopus and the adsorptive properties of its tentacles, specifically tailored for targeted stimulation and pH sensing in the cervix, are presented. This approach involves the design of a soft, water-based Janus adhesive hydrogel patch that adheres to specific parts of the cervix and responds to pH changes through external stimuli. The hydrogel patch incorporates inverse opal microstructures mimicking the legs of an octopus, to facilitate efficient and stable locomotion, unidirectional transport of biofluids, and pH-responsive behavior. This miniature bionic robot showcases controlled adhesion and precise unidirectional fluid transport highlighting its potential for targeted stimulus response and pH sensing in the uterine cervical tract. This breakthrough opens new avenues for medical applications within the expanding field of soft-bodied robotics.

Strain-Programmed Adhesive Patch for Accelerated Photodynamic Wound Healing.

As an alternative to tissue adhesives, photochemical tissue bonding has been investigated for advanced wound healing. However, these techniques suffer from relatively slow wound healing with bleeding and bacterial infections. Here, we present the versatile attributes of afterglow luminescent particles (ALPs) embedded in dopamine-modified hyaluronate (HA-DOPA) patches for accelerated wound healing. ALPs enhance the viscoelastic properties of the patches, and the photoluminescence (PL) and afterglow luminescence (AL) of ALPs maximize singlet oxygen generation and collagen fibrillogenesis for effective healing in the infected wounds. The patches are optimized to achieve the strong and rapid adhesion in the wound sites. In addition, the swelling and shrinking properties of adhesive patches contribute to a non-linear behavior in the wound recovery, playing an important role as a strain-programmed patch. The protective patch prevents secondary infection and skin adhesion, and the patch seamlessly detaches during wound healing, enabling efficient residue clearance. In vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo model tests confirm the biocompatibility, antibacterial effect, hemostatic capability, and collagen restructuring for the accelerated wound healing. Taken together, this research collectively demonstrates the feasibility of HA-DOPA/ALP patches as a versatile and promoting solution for advanced accelerated wound healing, particularly in scenarios involving bleeding and bacterial infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Ginger oil-loaded transdermal adhesive patch treats post-traumatic stress disorder

ObjectiveTo find a viable alternative to reduce the number of doses required for the patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to improve efficacy and patient compliance. MethodsIn this study, we used ginger oil, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic properties, to prepare ginger oil patches. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the main active component of ginger oil, 6-gingerol. Transdermal absorption experiments were conducted to optimize the various pressure-sensitive adhesives and permeation enhancers, including their type and concentration. Subsequently, the ginger oil patches were optimized and subjected to content determination and property evaluations. A PTSD mouse model was established using the foot-shock method. The therapeutic effect of ginger oil patches on PTSD was assessed through pathological sections, behavioral tests, and the evaluation of biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and melatonin (MT). ResultsThe results demonstrated that ginger oil patches exerted therapeutic effects against PTSD by inhibiting inflammatory responses and modulating MT and BDNF levels. Pharmacokinetic experiments revealed that ginger oil patches maintained a stable blood drug concentration for at least one day, addressing the rapid metabolism drawback of 6-gingerol and enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. ConclusionsGinger oil can be prepared as a transdermal drug patch that meets these requirements, and the bioavailability of the prepared patch is better than that of oral administration. It can improve PTSD with good patient compliance and ease of administration. Therefore, it is a promising therapeutic formulation for the treatment of PTSD.

Instantly adhesive and ultra-elastic patches for dynamic organ and wound repair

Bioadhesive materials and patches are promising alternatives to surgical sutures and staples. However, many existing bioadhesives do not meet the functional requirements of current surgical procedures and interventions. Here, we present a translational patch material that exhibits instant adhesion to tissues (2.5-fold stronger than Tisseel, an FDA-approved fibrin glue), ultra-stretchability (stretching to >300% its original length without losing elasticity), compatibility with rapid photo-projection (<2 min fabrication time/patch), and ability to deliver therapeutics. Using our established procedures for the in silico design and optimization of anisotropic-auxetic patches, we created next-generation patches for instant attachment to tissues while conforming to a broad range of organ mechanics ex vivo and in vivo. Patches coated with extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells demonstrate robust wound healing capability in vivo without inducing a foreign body response and without the need for patch removal that can cause pain and bleeding. We further demonstrate a single material-based, void-filling auxetic patch designed for the treatment of lung puncture wounds.

Effect of bondline thickness on the mechanical performance of CFRP laminate with asymmetric damage repaired by double-sided adhesive patch

As a common CFRP repair method, double-sided adhesive patch has been widely used in the automotive and aeronautic industry. More specific research is thus needed to help better understanding the effect of repairing parameters on the mechanical performance of CFRP structures after patch bonding. In this paper, experimental and Finite Element Modelling (FEM) efforts were made on the adhesive repaired CFRP laminate with different bondline thicknesses. Artificial damage was prefabricated in the centre of the CFRP laminate, which was then repaired through double-sided adhesive patch. Quasi-static tensile tests were conducted on the repaired specimen up to failure, to obtain the load-displacement curves. With a bondline thickness of 0.5 mm, the repaired CFRP structure reached its maximum peak load, increased by 25.3% and 26.4% compared to 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm bondline thicknesses, respectively. SEM observations were used to analyse the influence of adhesive thickness on the fracture modes. Combined with Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) for the adhesive layer and Hashin damage criterion for the CFRP, the FE model of the CFRP laminate repaired with double-sided adhesive patch subjected to tensile loading was established. Finally, the damage evolution as well as the failure modes in the parent laminate and adhesive layer with different bondline thicknesses were compared and analysed. It was revealed that bondline thickness can effectively affect the mechanical performance of CFRP laminate after adhesive patch repair.

Transdermal Drug Delivery System

Non-invasive method of drug administration are transdermal patches, it is an adhesive patch designed to deliver a specific dose of medication through the skin and into the blood stream through the body, it has so many advantages over other routes of adminisstration, for instance it is less invasive patient friendly and has the ability to by pass 1st pass metabolism and the distructive acidic environment of the stomach that occurs upon the oral ingestion of drug’s.

Clonidine Patch for Tourette Syndrome With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

To explore the efficacy and safety of clonidine adhesive patch in Tourette syndrome (TS) patients with comorbid attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study was conducted on a sample of children and adolescents with TS who had comorbid ADHD between May 2012 and March 2015. The patients were diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, and were randomly assigned to four different dose groups: 1.0 mg/week, 1.5 mg/week, 2.0 mg/week and placebo group, and the symptom was evaluated by Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, Version IV (SNAP-IV) and Yale Global Tic Severity Scale scales every 2 weeks. The primary outcome was tic disorders (TD) effective rate at week 8. One hundred and twenty-seven TS patients with comorbid ADHD in 2.0 mg/week (n=35), 1.5 mg/week (n=27), 1.0 mg/week (n=36) and placebo groups (n=29) were included in this subgroup analysis. The TD effective rate of the 2.0 mg, 1.5 mg, and 1.0 mg groups at week 8 were significantly better than that in placebo group (85.7%, 81.5%, and 86.1% vs. 20.7%, all p<0.0001). All groups demonstrated significant improvements in SNAP-IV total scale scores compared to baseline (p=0.0004), with treatment groups showing only a trend for better performance compared to placebo group at week 8, without statistical differences (22.1±15.41, 21.3±11.96, and 21.2±12.48 vs. 26.0±13.37, p=0.3385). A total of 9 adverse reactions occurred, all recovered spontaneously without additional medication. Clonidine adhesive patch could safely and effectively reduce the tic symptoms of TS patients with comorbid ADHD, and might be potentially helpful in the ADHD symptoms control.

Degradation of the α-Carboxyl Terminus 11 Peptide: In Vivo and Ex Vivo Impacts of Time, Temperature, Inhibitors, and Gender in Rat.

In previous research, a synthetic α-carboxyl terminus 1 (αCT1) peptide derived from connexin 43 (Cx43) and its variant (αCT11) showed beneficial effects in an ex vivo ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) heart injury model in mouse. In an in vivo mouse model of cryo-induced ventricular injury, αCT1 released from adhesive cardiac patches reduced Cx43 remodeling and arrhythmias, as well as maintained cardiac conduction. Whether intravenous injection of αCT1 or αCT11 produces similar outcomes has not been investigated. Given the possibility of peptide degradation in plasma, this study utilized in vivo I/R cardiac injury and ex vivo blood plasma models to examine factors that may limit the therapeutic potential of peptide therapeutics in vivo. Following tail vein administration of αCT11 (100 μM) in blood, no effect on I/R infarct size was observed in adult rat hearts on day 1 (D1) and day 28 (D28) after injury (p > 0.05). There was also no difference in the echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF%) between the control and the αCT11 groups (p > 0.05). Surprisingly, αCT11 in blood plasma collected from these rats was undetectable within ∼10 min after tail vein injection. To investigate factors that may modulate αCT11 degradation in blood, αCT11 was directly added to blood plasma isolated from normal rats without I/R and peptide levels were measured under different experimental conditions. Consistent with in vivo observations, significant αCT11 degradation occurred in plasma within 10 min at 22 and 37 °C and was nearly undetectable by 30 min. These responses were reduced by the addition of protease/phosphatase (PTase/PPTase) inhibitors to the isolated plasma. Interestingly, no significant differences in αCT11 degradation in plasma were noted between male and female rats. We conclude that fast degradation of αCT11 is likely the reason that no beneficial effects were observed in the in vivo I/R model and inhibition or shielding from PTase/PPTase activity may be a strategy that will assist with the viability of peptide therapeutics.

Improved transdermal delivery of novel cannabinoid-loaded patches using Eudragit matrix

The main active cannabinoids in extracts of Cannabis sativa L., cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), are known for their pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, psychedelic, anti-cancer, and anti-spasmodic activities. This study aimed to develop adhesive cannabinoid-loaded transdermal patches (CLTPs) to enhance the skin permeation of the active cannabinoids, CBDA and THCA, and evaluate their stability. Optimized CLTPs were prepared in 1.5 % (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol-coated petri dishes using a solvent casting technique. The casting solution consisted of mixtures of isopropyl alcohol and ethanol, along with Eudragit®E100, succinic acid, dibutyl phthalate, and permeation enhancers such as oleic acid, isopropyl myristate, mixtures of oleic acid and isopropyl myristate, ethoxydiglycol, sesame oil, and co-polymer (Kollidon®VA64). The physicochemical properties of the patches were characterized by uniformity, thickness, drug content, swelling, and mechanical properties. The in vitro release studies of CBDA and THCA through a synthetic hydrophobic membrane using various release enhancers from these patches were conducted using Franz diffusion cells. Using ethoxydiglycol as a release enhancer demonstrated the highest release profile for both cannabinoids. The steady-state flux values of CBDA and THCA were 3.83 ± 0.45 μg/cm2/h (1.85-fold compared to the control) and 0.72 ± 0.14 μg/cm2/h (1.54-fold compared to the control) at 8 h. The stability studies of CLTPs demonstrated that both remained stable at 4 °C for at least 90 days. In conclusion, transdermal patches containing cannabinoids have been successfully developed and characterized. These findings offer a promising avenue for further investigation of CLTPs, as they could serve as a versatile formulation strategy for pharmaceutical products.

Direct Laser Processing and Functionalizing PI/PDMS Composites for an On-Demand, Programmable, Recyclable Device Platform.

Skin-interfaced high-sensitive biosensing systems to detect electrophysiological and biochemical signals have shown great potential in personal health monitoring and disease management. However, the integration of 3D porous nanostructures for improved sensitivity and various functional composites for signal transduction/processing/transmission often relies on different materials and complex fabrication processes, leading to weak interfaces prone to failure upon fatigue or mechanical deformations. The integrated system also needs additional adhesive to strongly conform to the human skin, which can also cause irritation, alignment issues, and motion artifacts. This work introduces a skin-attachable, reprogrammable, multifunctional, adhesive device patch fabricated by simple and low-cost laser scribing of an adhesive composite with polyimide powders and amine-based ethoxylated polyethylenimine dispersed in the silicone elastomer. The obtained laser-induced graphene in the adhesive composite can be further selectively functionalized with conductive nanomaterials or enzymes for enhanced electrical conductivity or selective sensing of various sweat biomarkers. The possible combination of the sensors for real-time biofluid analysis and electrophysiological signal monitoring with RF energy harvesting and communication promises a standalone stretchable adhesive device platform based on the same material system and fabrication process.

Ionic Liquid Transdermal Patches of Two Active Ingredients Based on Semi-Ionic Hydrogen Bonding for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to deformities and disabilities in patients. Conventional treatment focuses on delaying progression; therefore, new treatments are necessary. The present study reported a novel ionic liquid transdermal platform for efficient RA treatment, and the underlying mechanism was elucidated using FTIR, 1H-NMR, Raman, XPS, and molecular simulations. The results showed that the reversibility of the semi-ionic hydrogen bonding facilitated high drug loading and enhanced drug permeability. Actarit's drug loading had an approximately 11.34-times increase. The in vitro permeability of actarit and ketoprofen was improved by 5.46 and 2.39 times, respectively. And they had the same significant effect in vivo. Furthermore, through the integration of network pharmacology, Western blotting (WB), and radiology analyses, the significant osteoprotective effects of SIHDD-PSA (semi-ionic H-bond double-drug pressure-sensitive adhesive transdermal patch) were revealed through the modulation of the JAK-STAT pathway. The SIHDD-PSA significantly reduced paw swelling and inflammation in the rat model, and stimulatory properties evaluation confirmed the safety of SIHDD-PSA. In conclusion, these findings provide a novel approach for the effective treatment of RA, and the semi-ionic hydrogen bonding strategy contributes a new theoretical basis for developing TDDS.

Evaluation of the Baha SoundArc in children

ObjectiveThe Baha SoundArc coupling system has been developed as a non-surgical coupling of a Baha sound processor to the skull allowing the transfer of vibrational energy to the cochlear partition via bone conduction pathways. Today, there are several alternatives to this non-surgical approach as the Baha headband/test band, or the Baha Softband, or adhesive patches. Each of these current options have benefits and liabilities. The aim of the study was to evaluate pediatric experience and performance when using two non-surgical options, the Baha SoundArc compared to the Baha Softband. MethodsTwenty-five children with unilateral mixed or conductive hearing loss aged 5–12 years of age evaluated the use of the Baha SoundArc compared to their existing Baha Softband in a one month take home trial. Participants had a minimum of 3 months experience using the control, Baha Softband. Participants were assessed at baseline and one month following fit of the Baha SoundArc. Measures included an experience and use patient reported outcome, speech perception testing in quiet using Phonetically Balanced Kindergarten (PBK) words, and sound field audiometry. ResultsMean aided soundfield thresholds across the frequency range were 27.6 dB HL for Softband and 26.0 dB HL for SoundArc, which were not significantly different (P = >.05). Mean word recognition score was 80.8% when aided with the Softband device and 85.1% with the SoundArc, which was also not significantly different (P = >.05). Most children favored the aesthetics and usability of the SoundArc over Softband, but comfort ratings were largely similar for both devices. ConclusionsBone conduction sound processors mounted on a SoundArc or a Softband resulted in comparable improvements in aided thresholds and speech understanding in children suffering from conductive or mixed hearing loss. Both wearing modalities can be considered equivalent in terms of audiological outcomes, although both patients and clinicians preferred the usability and aesthetics of the SoundArc. The SoundArc provides an alternative wearing option for patients that may otherwise be discouraged by the aesthetics and usability of the Softband device. Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT03333577.

Three-Day Monitoring of Adhesive Single-Lead Electrocardiogram Patch for Premature Ventricular Complex: Prospective Study for Diagnosis Validation and Evaluation of Burden Fluctuation.

Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring devices are used worldwide. However, data on the diagnostic yield of an adhesive single-lead ECG patch (SEP) to detect premature ventricular complex (PVC) and the optimal duration of wearing an SEP for PVC burden assessment are limited. We aimed to validate the diagnostic yield of an SEP (mobiCARE MC-100, Seers Technology) for PVC detection and evaluate the PVC burden variation recorded by the SEP over a 3-day monitoring period. This is a prospective study of patients with documented PVC on a 12-lead ECG. Patients underwent simultaneous ECG monitoring with the 24-hour Holter monitor and SEP on the first day. On the subsequent second and third days, ECG monitoring was continued using only SEP, and a 3-day extended monitoring was completed. The diagnostic yield of SEP for PVC detection was evaluated by comparison with the results obtained on the first day of Holter monitoring. The PVC burden monitored by SEP for 3 days was used to assess the daily and 6-hour PVC burden variations. The number of patients additionally identified to reach PVC thresholds of 10%, 15%, and 20% during the 3-day extended monitoring by SEP and the clinical factors associated with the higher PVC burden variations were explored. The recruited data of 134 monitored patients (mean age, 54.6 years; males, 45/134, 33.6%) were analyzed. The median daily PVC burden of these patients was 2.4% (IQR 0.2%-10.9%), as measured by the Holter monitor, and 3.3% (IQR 0.3%-11.7%), as measured in the 3-day monitoring by SEP. The daily PVC burden detected on the first day of SEP was in agreement with that of the Holter monitor: the mean difference was -0.07%, with 95% limits of agreement of -1.44% to 1.30%. A higher PVC burden on the first day was correlated with a higher daily (R2=0.34) and 6-hour burden variation (R2=0.48). Three-day monitoring by SEP identified 29% (12/42), 18% (10/56), and 7% (4/60) more patients reaching 10%, 15%, and 20% of daily PVC burden, respectively. Younger age was additionally associated with the identification of clinically significant PVC burden during the extended monitoring period (P=.02). We found that the mobiCARE MC-100 SEP accurately detects PVC with comparable diagnostic yield to the 24-hour Holter monitor. Performing 3-day PVC monitoring with SEP, especially among younger patients, may offer a pragmatic alternative for identifying more individuals exceeding the clinically significant PVC burden threshold.

Skin Cancer Risk Is Increased by Somatic Mutations Detected Noninvasively in Healthy-Appearing Sun-Exposed Skin

Skin cancer risk is increased by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Since UVR exposure accumulates over time and lighter skin is more susceptible to UVR, age and skin tone are risk factors for skin cancer. However, measurements of somatic mutations in healthy-appearing skin have not been used to calculate skin cancer risk. Herein, we developed a noninvasive test that quantifies somatic mutations in healthy-appearing sun-exposed skin and applied it to a 1,038-subject cohort. Somatic mutations were combined with other known skin cancer risk factors to train a model to calculate risk. The final model (DNA-Skin Cancer Assessment of Risk, DNA-SCAR) was trained to predict personal history of skin cancer from age, family history, skin tone and mutation count. The addition of mutation count significantly improved model performance (OR=1.3 95%CI:1.14-1.48; p-value=5.3x10-6) and made a more significant contribution than skin tone. Calculations of skin cancer risk matched the known U.S. population prevalence, indicating DNA-SCAR was well-calibrated. In conclusion, somatic mutations in healthy-appearing sun-exposed skin increase skin cancer risk and mutations capture risk information that is not accounted for by other risk factors. Clinical utility is supported by the noninvasive nature of skin sample collection via adhesive patches.

Janus Polyurethane Adhesive Patch with Antibacterial Properties for Wound Healing.

Despite the rapid development of tissue adhesives, flaws including allergies, poor stability, and indiscriminate double-sided adhesive properties limit their application in the medical field. In this work, Janus polyurethane patches were spontaneously prepared by adjusting the difference in the functional group distribution between the top and bottom sides of the patch during emulsion drying. Consequently, poor adhesion was exhibited on the bottom surface, while the top surface can easily adhere to metals, polymers, glasses, and tissues. The difference in adhesive strength to pork skin between the two surfaces is more than 5 times. The quaternary ammonium salt and hydrophilic components on the surface of the polyurethane patch enable the rapid removal and absorption of water from the tissue surface to achieve wet adhesion. Animal experiments have demonstrated that this multifunctional Janus polyurethane patch can promote skin wound closure and healing of infected wounds. This facile and effective strategy to construct Janus polyurethane patch provides a promising method for the development of functional tissue-adhesives.

Adherence to adhesive patch electrocardiographic monitoring among adults with disabilities.

Individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities (I/DD) are at a greater risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. AF is associated with heart failure, stroke, poor mental health, and reduced quality of life. Management and treatment decisions are based on the ability to detect AF; however, noninvasive, remote cardiac monitoring may not be tolerated by individuals with I/DD. To examine adherence to the placement of an ambulatory cardiac rhythm monitoring patch device by adult patients with I/DD. Investigators extracted chart data from a consecutive series of adult patients (18 years+) who received the patch device as part of standard treatment at an adult health center between November 1, 2015 and October 31, 2019. A total of 95 patients were included in data analysis. Average age of subjects was 53.8±13.9 years (range: 20.2-88.5); 66.7% were male. All subjects had intellectual disabilities as follows: mild, 37.9%; moderate, 29.5%; severe, 21.0%; and, profound, 11.6%. With a prescribed duration of 14 days, subjects wore the device a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 12.2days (4.1-14.0); total analysis time was a median of 9.5 days (3.4-13.5). A total of 29 subjects (30.5%) received cardiac diagnoses not previously identified (median=1 new diagnosis; range: 1-5). This pilot study suggests the possible utility of an ambulatory monitoring patch device in an adult population with I/DD. Investigators recommend larger studies to confirm such preliminary findings to ultimately improve clinical management and patient quality of life.

Adhesive hydrogel releases protocatechualdehyde-Fe3+ complex to promote three healing stages for accelerated therapy of oral ulcers

Oral ulcers can significantly reduce the life quality of patients and even lead to malignant transformations. Local treatments using topical agents are often ineffective because of the wet and dynamic environment of the oral cavity. Current clinical treatments for oral ulcers, such as corticosteroids, have limitations and side effects for long-term usage. Here, we develop adhesive hydrogel patches (AHPs) that effectively promote the healing of oral ulcers in a rat model. The AHPs are comprised of the quaternary ammonium salt of chitosan, aldehyde-functionalized hyaluronic acid, and a tridentate complex of protocatechualdehyde and Fe3+ (PF). The AHPs exhibit tunable mechanical properties, self-healing ability, and wet adhesion on the oral mucosa. Through controlling the formula of the AHPs, PF released from the AHPs in a temporal manner. We further show that the AHPs have good biocompatibility and the capability to heal oral ulcers rapidly. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that the PF released from AHPs facilitated ulcer healing by suppressing inflammation, promoting macrophage polarization, enhancing cell proliferation, and inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition involving inflammation, proliferation, and maturation stages. This study provides insights into the healing of oral ulcers and presents an effective therapeutic biomaterial for the treatment of oral ulcers. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: By addressing the challenges associated with current clinical treatments for oral ulcers, the development of adhesive hydrogel patches (AHPs) presents an effective approach. These AHPs possess unique properties, such as tunable mechanical characteristics, self-healing ability, and strong adhesion to the mucosa. Through controlled release of protocatechualdehyde-Fe3+ complex, the AHPs facilitate the healing process by suppressing inflammation, promoting cell proliferation, and inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The study not only provides valuable insights into the healing mechanisms of oral ulcers but also introduces a promising therapeutic biomaterial. This work holds significant scientific interest and demonstrates the potential to greatly improve the treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals suffering from oral ulcers.