McGill University researchers have discovered that they can control the stickiness of adhesive bandages using ultrasound waves and bubbles. This breakthrough could lead to new advances in medical adhesives, especially in cases where adhesives are difficult to apply such as on wet skin.

Figure 1: Regulating stickiness of bandages using ultrasound waves and bubbles

Figure 1 shows that"Bandages, glues, and stickers are common bio adhesives that are used at home or in clinics. However, they don't usually adhere well on wet skin. It's also challenging to control where they are applied and the strength and duration of the formed adhesion," says Jianyu Li. [1]

“We were surprised to find that by simply playing with the intensity of ultrasound, we can very accurately control the stickiness of adhesive dressings on many tissues,” says Zhenwei Ma,at Killam University.

In collaboration with physicists Prof. Outi Supponen and Claire Bourkar from the Institute of Fluid Dynamics at ETH Zurich, the team experimented with ultrasound-induced microbubbles to make adhesives tackier.

“Ultrasound induces a lot of microbubbles, which briefly push the adhesive into the skin for stronger bio adhesion,” says Prof. Supponen. “We can even use theoretical modeling to pinpoint exactly where sticking will occur, the ultrasound induces many microbubbles, which transiently push the adhesives into the skin for stronger bio adhesion,” [2]

Their study, published in the journal Science, shows that the adhesives are compatible with living tissue in rats. The adhesives can also potentially be used to deliver drugs through the skin.

“This paradigm-shifting technology will have great implications in many branches of medicine,” says University of British Columbia Professor Zu-hua Gao. “We’re very excited to translate this technology for applications in clinics for tissue repair, cancer therapy, and precision medicine.”

“By merging mechanics, materials and biomedical engineering, we envision the broad impact of our bio adhesive technology in wearable devices, wound management, and regenerative medicine,” says Professor Li, who is also a Canada Research Chair in Biomaterials and Musculoskeletal Health. [3]

References:

1. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220812134738.htm
2. https://journalbreak.com/science-news-researchers-discover-use-of-sound-bubbles-to-make-bandages-stickier-long-lasting/
3. https://worldnews.upexampaper.com/science-news-researchers-discover-use-of-sound-bubbles-to-make-bandages-stickier-long-lasting-more-canada-news/

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K (2022), Controlling Stickiness of Bandages Using Waves and Sounds, Anatechmaz, pp. 391