1.Major Application Areas1. Surgical Procedures and Trauma ClosureThis is the most classic and widespread application area of medical adhesives, aimed at replacing or supplementing traditional sutures and staples.Tissue Adhesives:Cyanoacrylate (e.g., 'medical super glue'): This is the most common topical tissue adhesive. It rapidly polymerizes on the wound surface to form a thin film, closing the wound with waterproof and antibacterial effects. It is often used for closing small skin incisions on the face and limbs, as well as for assisting surgical incision sealing.Fibrin glue: A bio-derived adhesive that mimics the final stage of the human coagulation process. It consists of thrombin and fibrinogen, which, when mixed, form a clot that bonds tissues. It is commonly used in visceral surgeries (such as liver or spleen rupture), nerve anastomosis, and vascular surgeries to control bleeding and promote tissue healing.Surgical Sealants:Primarily used to prevent leakage of body fluids (such as blood, lymph, air). For example, after a lung resection, they are used to seal needle holes and micro-injuries in lung tissue; after cardiovascular surgery, they prevent leakage at vascular anastomosis sites.

2. Wound Dressings and CareModern high-end wound dressings extensively use pressure-sensitive adhesives and other technologies to provide more comfortable and effective care.Pressure-sensitive tapes: Used to secure gauze, catheters, etc., they need to be gentle to the skin, hypoallergenic, painless to remove, and leave no residue.Hydrocolloid dressings: The adhesive interacts with wound exudate to form a gel, providing a moist healing environment while adhering to surrounding healthy skin. Commonly used for chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers and ulcers.Silicone gel dressings: Very gentle, minimally irritating to scar tissue and sensitive skin, widely used in scar management (prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars) and to secure devices on fragile skin.Hydrogel dressings: Can absorb large amounts of exudate, form a gel, and maintain wound moisture.

3. Medical Device Fixation and AssemblyAdhesives are also crucial in the manufacturing and use of medical devices.Device assembly: Used to permanently bond different materials such as metal, plastic, and glass, for example in precision devices like endoscopes, insulin pumps, and blood oxygenators. Adhesives must be biocompatible and withstand sterilization processes (such as ethylene oxide or gamma radiation).Disposable product fixation:Transdermal patches: Such as nicotine patches, fentanyl pain patches, and hormone patches. Adhesives not only secure the patch but also control the rate of drug release through the skin.Electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes: Conductive adhesives ensure good contact between electrodes and skin for accurate signal collection.Ostomy bags: Used after colostomy or urinary stoma surgery, requiring strong sealing and skin-friendly properties to prevent leakage of excreta and skin irritation.

4. Dental ApplicationsDentistry is another important arena for medical adhesives.Cavity Restoration: When composite resin is used to fill teeth, dentin adhesive must be applied to ensure a strong bond between the resin and the tooth tissue.Orthodontics: Used to attach brackets (braces) to the surface of teeth.Prosthesis Fixation: Denture adhesives are used to increase the stability and retention of dentures.

5. Orthopedics and Tissue EngineeringThis is a cutting-edge field where adhesives are given additional functionalities.Bone Cement: Mainly used to fix artificial joint prostheses (such as hip and knee joints) and fill bone defects. The most commonly used is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).Degradable Bone Adhesives: Under development, aiming to provide initial fixation that can gradually be replaced by newly formed bone tissue, such as calcium phosphate-based bone cement.Tissue Engineering Scaffold Fixation: Biocompatible adhesives are used to fix cells or growth factors onto specific scaffold materials to guide tissue regeneration.