Bioinspired tough gel sheath for sutures

“Inspired by tendon endotenon sheath, we (engineers at McGill University) report a versatile strategy to functionalize fiber-based devices such as sutures. This strategy seamlessly unites surgical sutures, tough gel sheath, and various functional materials. . . . The surface stiffness, friction, and drag of the suture when interfacing with tissues can be markedly reduced, without compromising the tensile strength. Versatile functionalization of the suture for infection prevention, wound monitoring, drug delivery, and near-infrared imaging is then presented. This platform technology is applicable to other fiber-based devices and foreseen to affect broad technological areas ranging from wound management to smart textiles.”  MORE

Image Credit:  McGill University and Advances.sciencemag.org