SanaHeal, an MIT spinout, is developing a bioadhesive intended to simplify the delicate task of joining tissue during surgery. Procedures including heart bypasses, C-sections, and hernia repairs commonly rely on sutures or staples, where even small errors can cause dangerous leaks. These methods may also damage tissue, provoke immune responses, or contribute to scarring and infection. SanaHeal's alternative rapidly adheres to wet, irregular surfaces, forming airtight and fluid-tight seals.
Developed by founder and chief technology officer Hyunwoo Yuk during his graduate research in Xuanhe Zhao's MIT laboratory, the technology draws inspiration from natural adhesives, including barnacles and spider webs. Its hydrogel base consists of polymers and water and is designed to minimize immune reactions and scar formation. Early versions functioned like double-sided tape, using polyacrylic acid—an absorbent also used in diapers—to remove water from tissue surfaces and establish adhesion within seconds. Yuk describes the approach as less invasive than suturing and easier to use with surgical robots.
The technology has already received regulatory approval to stop trauma bleeding. Human trials planned for next year will investigate bleeding control during surgery and the repair of injured tissues. Established in 2021, SanaHeal initially concentrated on wounds before shifting toward the more numerous applications in surgery. Larger medical-device firms are developing products with SanaHeal's technology for open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic procedures, as well as stitch-free implantation applications involving hernia and nerve repairs. This partnership model enables the company to pursue multiple products despite its limited development resources.
