SanaHeal, founded by MIT researcher Hyunwoo Yuk in 2021, is developing a bioadhesive intended to simplify the delicate task of joining tissue during surgery. Originally developed at MIT, the hydrogel-based technology adheres to wet, uneven surfaces within seconds, forming airtight and fluid-tight seals. It has already received regulatory approval to stop trauma bleeding; human trials planned for next year will investigate its use in controlling surgical bleeding and repairing injured tissue.
Procedures ranging from heart bypasses to hernia repairs require tissue to be joined, usually with sutures or staples applied manually or through surgeon-controlled robots. Even minor errors can produce dangerous leaks, while these methods can damage tissue, provoke immune responses and contribute to scarring or infection. SanaHeal's approach draws inspiration from natural adhesives, including those associated with barnacles and spider webs. Early versions resembled double-sided tape: polyacrylic acid, an absorbent also used in nappies, removed water from tissue so the material could attach rapidly. The hydrogels, composed of polymers and water, are biocompatible, minimising immune responses and scar formation.
Yuk developed the technology in MIT professor Xuanhe Zhao's laboratory, shifting from research on hydrogels' mechanical properties towards medical applications. Early regulatory risks discouraged potential partners, prompting the founders to commercialise the technology themselves with support from MIT's Deshpande Center. SanaHeal now supplies larger medical device companies developing products for open, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery, as well as stitch-free implantation applications. Yuk argues that the less invasive approach could facilitate robotic surgery and potentially reduce costs through faster, more efficient procedures.
