Sutureless Adhesive Connectors for Tissue Repair

Value Proposition

• Eliminates the need for time-consuming microsurgical sutures for tubular organ repair, reducing operative time and anesthesia exposure.
• Minimizes additional tissue trauma caused by suturing, improving functional recovery and reducing complications.
• Uses biodegradable materials and engineered adhesives/nanostructures to distribute adhesive load across the repair site for secure reconnection.
• Simplifies microsurgical procedures and improves ease of use, enabling more consistent repairs across surgical teams.

Technology Description

• Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a sutureless repair system comprising a split connector mechanism, novel tissue adhesives, and nanostructured biodegradable materials. The connector interfaces with the cut ends of tubular tissues and distributes mechanical load across the tissue surface to secure apposition without penetrating micro‑sutures. The design supports controlled degradation and integration with host tissue, while the adhesive chemistry and surface nanostructures provide strong, biocompatible bonding suitable for a range of soft tissues.

Unmet Need

• Current microsurgical repair of small or delicate tubular structures relies on placing micro‑sutures, a process that is technically demanding, prolongs operative time, and can further injure fragile tissue, potentially impairing functional recovery. There is a clinical need for fixation methods that reduce procedure time, lower iatrogenic trauma, and provide reliable mechanical strength while being biocompatible and degradable. A sutureless adhesive connector would address these gaps across multiple surgical specialties.

Stage of Development

• This technology is currently in a preclinical/prototype stage, with granted patent:
  • “Biological tissue connection and repair devices and methods of using the same,” US9539009B2, anticipated expiration Oct. 30, 2030.

Data Availability

• Data available upon request.

Publication

• Mahdavi A et al. A biodegradable and biocompatible gecko-inspired tissue adhesive. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Feb 19;105(7):2307-12. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0712117105.