Classes of Sealants (Base Materials) | Potential Applications | Strengths | Weaknesses | Ref |
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS | ||||
Cyanoacrylate | Dermal applications; Wound closure; Hernia repair | Rapid polymerization; high adhesion strength | High toxicity of degradation by-products | 23 - 25 |
Polyurethane | Orthopedic and renal surgery; Pancreatic occlusion; Vascular surgery | High elasticity; Moderate-high adhesion strength | Moderate toxicity of degradation by-products | 26 - 29 |
Poly(ethylene glycol) | Cranial surgery; Spinal surgery; Retinal applications | Moderate adhesion strength; High biocompatibility; Soft tissue-like mechanical properties | Significant/uncontrolled swelling | 30 - 32 |
NATURAL MATERIALS | ||||
Fibrin | Hemorrhage control; Wound closure | High biocompatibility; High hemostatic potential; Rapid curing in-situ | Low adhesion strength; High cost; Risk of disease transmission | 33 - 36 |
Albumin/glutaraldehyde | Vascular surgery; Cardiac surgery; Lung surgery | Moderate adhesion strength; Rapid cross-linking | Toxicity of cross-linking agent; Moderate biocompatibility | 37 - 39 |
Collagen/Gelatin | Lung surgery; Vascular surgery; Gastrointestinal surgery | Low risk of disease transmission; Low cost; Moderate-high adhesion strength | Toxicity of crossing-linking agent; Moderate biocompatibility (depending on formulation) | 40 - 42 |
Polysaccharides (including dextran and chitosan) | Lung surgery; Hemorrhage control | Tunable polymer microstructure; High biocompatibility; Hemostatic potential | Moderate adhesion strength | 15;19 - 20; 43 - 44 |