Technion Invents Seal-V, a Glue Which Retains its Sealant Capacity Even on Wet Surfaces

Internal incisions are tricky. Unlike exterior cuts, internal ones are constantly surrounded by fluids, a fact that renders many adhesives useless. When Professor Havazelet Bianco-Peled looked for a solution to this problem, she thought it might come from a place thats always wet - under the sea - and she was right.

Since the early 2000s, Bianco-Peled has been researching the adhesion mechanism of algae to rocks underwater, and her research has proven fruitful. After unveiling the chemical composition of the algae adhesive, Bianco-Peled proceeded to create a synthetic adhesive that imitates the binding mechanism and chemical composition of algae.

Under the sealant

Sealantis, a private start-up from the Technion, Israels Institute of Technology, established by Bianco-Peled in 2007, announced in early October that they received the CE mark for Seal-V, their vascular surgery sealant. Sealantis develops seamless incision technology that mechanically seals areas of potential leakage after surgery, without the need for sutures, which are not always effective sealants.

The algae-mimetic technology allows Seal-V to retain its sealant capacity even on wet surfaces. "Sealing surgical incisions requires sticking to wet or moist surfaces, which is a challenge that most known adhesives cant usually meet," explains Bianco-Peled.

As simple as one-two

Seal-V technology is based on the dual components of an Alginate Pre-Gel, a solution developed from the cell walls of brown algae, and a Curing Mesh, which acts to harden the pre-gel solution, creating effective binding of the open area. The application process requires the surgeon to first cover the wounded area with the pre-gel, and only then apply the curing mesh using an applicator. The pre-gel solution hardens within the space of a minute.

This two-staged app