US006667031B2
62) United States Patent (10) Patent No.2 US 6,667,031 B2
Azevedo (45) Date of Patent: Dec. 23, 2003
(54) METHOD FOR CURING CYANOACRYLATE FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
ADHESIVES W0 WO 96/14292 * 5/1996
(75) Inventor: Max Azevedo, Lenoir, NC (US) OTHER PUBLIC ATIQNS
(73) Assjgnee; spartan Products, Inc” Rye, NY (Us) Collins, J .A. et al., “Biological Substrates and Cure Rates of
Cyanoacrylate Tissue Adhesives”, Archives of Surgery, vol.
( * ) Notice: Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this 93, Iss. 3, Sep. 1966, pp. 438-32. . .
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 Leonard, F. et al., “Interfacial Polymerization of n-Alkyl
U.S.C. 154(b) by 27 days. X—Cyanoacrylate Homologs”, Journal of Applied
Polymer Science, vol. 10, Iss. 11 Nov. 1996, pp. 1617-23.
Woodward, S.C. et al., “Histotoxicity of Cyanoacrylate
(21) APPL N05 10/1013346 Tissue Adhesives in the Rat”, Annals of Surgery, vol. 162,
- , Iss. 1 Jul. 965 pp. 113-22.
22 F1 d. M . 20 2002 ’ ’
( ) 1 C ar ’ Cameron, J .L. et al., “Degradation of Cyanoacrylate Tissue
(65) Prior Publication Data Adhesive, pt. 1”, Surgery, vol. 58, Iss. 2, Aug. 1965, pp.
Us 2003/0158580 A1 Aug‘ 21’ 2003 F et al “Synthesis and Degradation of
Poly(all 15”” 5515 5>
4,041,063 A 8/1977 Buck ..................... .. 260/465.4 V01~ 11>1SS 1a Jan 1990 PP~ 73-79
4,057,535 A 11/1977 Lipatova et al. 260/77.5 AC ,. Cited b examiner
4,328,170 A 5/1982 Okawara et al. ....... .. 260/465.4 y
4,444,933 A 4/1984 Columbus et al. ........ .. 524/292 ~ ~ v~
4,818,325 A 4/1989 Hiraiwa et al. 156/315 P7r£m‘Xtyt E"“m‘f’jD°“j;5 R‘ ‘3V11?°£1& F1 LLC
5,039,753 A 8/1991 Woods et al. 525/330.3 ( ) Omeya 35”) 5’ "m_ 5 5 “ma”
5,192,536 A 3/1993 Huprich .......... .. 424/78.08 (57) ABSTRACT
5,254,132 A 10/1993 Barley et al. . . . . . . . . . . .. 606/214
5,328,687 A 7/1994 Leullg Ct 31- 424/78-35 A new adhesive method using an adhesive composition
5303591 A 4/1995 Tighe 55 51- - - - - - - - - - - -- 424/445 including cyanoacrylate adhesive and a stabilizing agent to
5,684,042 A 11/1997 Greff et al. 514/527 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
5,807,563 A 9/1998 Askill et al. 424/402 J01“ Fogether P0910“ °f.a Substrate’ pam.C“1‘i‘r1y useful 1.“
suturing and similar medical procedures, is disclosed. It is
5,928,611 A 7/1999 Leung ......... .. 422/131 b d h d. h k bl .
5,944,754 A 8/1999 Vacanti . . . . . . . . . .. 623/11 555, 0”‘ 5 155°"5rY‘ at 55””? a 5 1F‘%PF°V5m5“‘5 “5
5,981,621 A 11/1999 Clark et al. 523/118 obtained by. adding a step of removing stabilizing agent from
6,036,906 A 7/2000 Greff et a1, 424/407 such adhesive compositions in the manufacturing process
6,090,397 A 7/2000 Lee et al. .... .. 424/405 with the prior known steps of (a) providing an adhesive
6,099,807 A 8/2000 Leung ......... .. 422/131 composition including cyanoacrylate adhesive and a stabi-
6,143,352 A 11/2000 Clark et 31- 427/21 lizing agent, (b) presenting a substrate to receive at least a
31 g115kk5yt5t151' portion of such cyanoacrylate adhesive and (c) applying
6:245:98 B1 6/2001 Mglrofseki gt 558/381 ftlllch pct)tr1tic(;n to téie sulgstgate. Devices for use in performing
6,248,800 B1 6/2001 Greff etal. .............. .. 521/71 5 m5 5 555 555“ 5 "
6,310,166 B1 10/2001 Hickey et al. . 526/348.2
2003/0077386 A1 * 4/2003 Azevedo ................ .. 427/207.1 16 Claims, N0 Drawings
US 6,667,031 B2
1
METHOD FOR CURING CYANOACRYLATE
ADHESIVES
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/077,852, filed Feb. 20, 2002, entitled
“Method for Curing Cyanoacrylate Adhesive”, which is
currently pending. This application relates to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/982,226, filed Oct. 19, 2001, which
is currently pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to a method of treating
stabilized cyanoacrylate adhesives prior to their application
to a substrate, particularly with reference to medical proce-
dures using such adhesives.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Medical interest in cyanoacrylate polymers has been
apparent since at least the mid-nineteen sixties as evidenced
by numerous reports on its use as a tissue bonding agent.
Collins et al. reported on the effectiveness of homologous
chain cyanoacrylates for bonding of biological substrates. J.
A. Collins, et al., ARCH. SURG. Vol. 93, 428 September
1966; F. Leonard et al., J.A.P.S. Vol. 10: 1617, 1966. Both
articles report the observation of high rates of polymeriza-
tion with longer chain esters than with the methyl or ethyl
monomers. There appeared to be more biocompatability
with the longer chains as noted by the ease of spreading
monomer films on bio-substrates. This contrasted with in
vitro polymerizations where the lower homologues reacted
much faster. There was particular interest in the degradation
of these polymers as they related to possible harmful effects
that would preclude their use in surgery.
Woodward et al. reported histotoxicity of these monomers
in rat tissue. S. C. Woodward, et al.,ANN. SURG. Vol. 162,
July 1965. The study involved in situ polymerization of
three cyanoacrylate monomers: methyl, hexyl, decyl. It was
reported that histotoxic effects were greatest with methyl
and decreased with the other two monomers.
The same group reported on the use of radioactive methyl
cyanoacrylate for monitoring routes for the loss of the
polymer. J . J . Cameron et al., SURGERY, Vol. 58, August
1965; C. H. McKeever, U.S. Pat. No. 2,912,454, Nov. 10,
1950. Results indicated that the polymer was degraded and
excreted principally through the urine and feces. Analysis of
the animal’s organs revealed no signs of radioactivity. This
implied no degradation products were incorporated into any
of the animal’s metabolic pathways. By analogy to polyvi-
nylidene cyanide, they noted that the cyanoacrylate polymer
degraded in the presence of water and more so in the
presence of bases. The first observed degradation product
turned out to be one of the starting materials, i.e., formal-
dehyde. In vitro studies have shown that the polymers
degrade via hydrolytic scission in homogeneous as well as
heterogeneous conditions. F. Leonard et al., J .A.P.S., Vol.
10: 259, 1966. These degradation products were confirmed
to be formaldehyde and the corresponding cyanoacetate.
The conditions of solution degradation affected the conse-
quent rates, namely, under neutral conditions rates decreased
as the homologous series was ascended while alkaline
conditions increased all rates.
The same study reported that the hydroxyl group was
evident in the polymer as the initiating species. This was
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concluded from infrared spectral data that displayed
hydroxyl group absorption at 3600 cm(—1). Further support
for this is the noted suppression of the OH as water is
replaced with methanol and the observed methoxy absorp-
tion at 1100 cm (-1). Preferential initiation was shown to
occur with NH2 containing substances such as pyridine,
cysteine, alanine, and glycine in aqueous solutions. This
suggested that in vivo adhesion was more than a mechanical
interlocking of the solid polymer with the tissue. This
appears to be the case as it was noted that typical polymer
solvents were not effective in solvating tissue-bound poly-
mer.
From this it appears that in vivo studies of degradation do
not necessarily correspond to in-vitro conditions. Part of the
degradation mechanism relies on the conditions of the
polymer for hydrolytic scission. The chemical bonding of
the polymer excludes this surface from hydrolytic activity. A
mechanism of degradation was proposed that suggests an
action similar to unzipping in acrylics, however, the differ-
ence being that the monomer is not regenerated. The pro-
posed mechanism necessitates the presence of the hydroxyl
as well as the presence of water.
An unusual effect was reported regarding the aqueous
degradation of isobutyl cyanoacrylate. R. H. Lehman et al.,
ARCH SURG. Vol. 93: 441, 1966. Of the monomers tested
(methyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, heptyl, octyl), it was the
only one that degraded more rapidly than any of the
unbranched homologues, with the exception of the methyl
monomer. as a tissue adhesive in surgical applications. The
presumed superiority of these products was attributable to
the rapid hydrolytic decay and concurrent low degree of
histotoxicity. Since no data is presented regarding formal-
dehyde evolution, it is presumed that the hydrolysis mecha-
nism does not scission the polymer to generate it.
A second study reported that in vivo experimentation
gives credence to the chain scission mechanism by hydroly-
sis. M. Yonezawa et al., YUKI GOSEI KAGAKU
KYOKAISHI, Vol. 25, 1967. When beta-(14) carbon tagged
cyanoacrylate is implanted in rats, radioactive urea is iso-
lated from urine. This suggest that tagged fromaldehyde is
released, converted to carbon dioxide and in turn reacts with
ammonia to produce urea. F. Leonar, ADHES. BIOL. SYS.
1970.
Rates of degradation on ethyl, butyl and hexyl cyanoacry-
lates were evaluated with regards to molecular weights,
concentrations, and side chain structures. W. R. Vezin et
al.,J. PHARM. PHARMACOL., Vol. 30,1978, suppl.. The
method employed buffered systems of pH ranges from 5.97
to 7.88. As expected, the rates increased with increasing pH
Scanning electron microscopy of the degraded polymer
indicated that reaction occurs at the surfaces and not inter-
nally through diffusion. It was postluated that the greater the
length of the -alkyl side chain, the more protection provided
to the labile hydroxyl end of the polymer chain. This is turn
would provide greater resistance to degradation of the
polymer. Degradation for hexyl, butyl, and ethyl were,
respectively, 1.0, 1.36, 9.55.
The same group reported on a study whereby degradation
rates were retarded by increasing the chain length of the
polymer. W. R. Vezin et al., J. BIOMED. MAT. RES., Vol.
93,1980. Very small quantities of impurities in the mono-
mers had a significant impact on the final outcome of the
degree of polymerization. Further to this study, within the
ethoxyethyl system, loneger chain length enhanced the
degradation resistance of the resultant polymer.
A comparative study of ethyl cyanoacrylate and polyure-
thane in-situ generated adhesives and coatings was reported
US 6,667,031 B2
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in U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,535 to Lipatova et al. The study
claimed the superiority of the polyurethane structure due to
high flexibilty and compatibility with the treated tissues. The
single comparison was made with incised tissue and conse-
quent application between the wound edges. Inferiority of
this application for the cyanoacrylate was readily evident,
but true topical applications were not compared. eleven
examples given, four were of a topical method, yet no data
was presented as no application of the ethyl or any other
homologue was done conjunctively for comparative effi-
cacy. A further deficiency of this patent is the practicality of
use. No indication is given for a device to properly apply the
two part system and appears to indicate an at-site prepara-
tion.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,536 to Robinson
overcomes the issue of the apparent difficulties associated
with invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,535 by
taking preformed polyurethane and issolving it in a rapidly
evaporating solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. The composi-
tion is designed to form a “membrane-like cover over the
wound” and “assists in maintaining closure of the wound”.
Again no compartative studies were reported.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,641 to Kronenthal et al. discusses the
novelty of modified cyanoacrylates, namely, carbalkoxy-
alkyl cyanoacrylates. The patent disclose their usefulness as
a tissue adhesive in surgical applications. The presumed
superiority of these products was attributable to the rapid
hydrolytic decay and concurrent low degree of histotoxicity.
Since no data is presented regarding formaldehyde
evolution, it is presumed that the hydrolysis mechaniasm
does not scission the polymer to generate it.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,132 to Bartley et al. discloses the use
of a hybrid method of surgical application of cyanoacrylates.
It discloses a combination of sutures and adhesive such as to
be mutually isolated from each other, but to both support the
re-growth of the tissue in the wound area. The ’132 patent
addresses the issue of insuring no contact of adhesive in the
suture area so as to assure no inclusions of the cyanoacry-
late. The disclosed method appears to be awkward and
cumbersome, and requires a very effective and controlled
dispensing of the adhesive without contacting the suture.
Additional concern is indicated as a suggestion is made to
employ a solvent (acetone) if any surgical instrument hap-
pens to be bonded inadvertently to the treated area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,687 to Leung et al. attacks the
formaldehyde issue by incorporating a formaldehyde
scavenger, such as, sodium bisulfite. The various composi-
tions were evaluated via in-vitro experimentation. The
examples presented all had a presumably excessive level of
scavenger. The representative compositions had loadings of
20% of a scavenging agent that was designed to offset
formaldehyde emissions that were at 0.1%. As indicated
previously, in-vitro and in vivo conditions are not identical
and certainly not in this instance. The in-vitro conditions
presented in the ’687 patent do not factor in the dynamic
conditions in living tissue. The surgically treated area would
be under continuous and changing fluids as the organ
attempts to bring in the necessary biocomponents to heal the
traumatized tissue. As such, it would not be expected that the
scavenger/formaldehyde ratio would be maintained as it was
in the in-vitro state. It could be speculated that the use of
such high loadings of any fluid solubilized additives would
contribute to greater formaldehyde emissions. This can be
assumed to be a consequence of dissolution of the additives
resulting in cavities in the polymer, thereby promoting
greater surface area for hydrolytic degradation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,591 to Tighe et al. relates to the use
of cyanoacrylates for treatment of skin irritations that
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progress to ulcerations. It would be assumed that these
conditions could be considered wound formations, e.g., see
U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,641.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,611 to Leung, U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,621
to Clark et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,807 to Leung, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,217,603 to Clark et al. describe methods of inducing
cure of cyanoacrylates bypassing the adhesive through a
porous applicator tip containing substances that initiate the
polymerization. These substances co-elute and dissolve into
the adhesive as it is forced through the porous tip.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,352 to Clark et al. describes methods
of altering the pH environment of cyanoacrylates in order to
attenuate or accelerate the rate of hydrolytic degradation by
uses of acid and alkaline additives. The formulation of acidic
modifiers is problematic as they tend to inhibit the primary
characteristic of these materials, namely, rapid cure on
application to tissue. Data is presented on effects of acidic
compositions on previously cured cyanoacrylates, not on in
situ applied compositions.
All of these methods rely on the addition of various
compositions to affect the accelerated cure onto a desired
substrate. These compositions may induce polymerization
by creating a greater number of initiation sites and or
orientation of the monomer for more facile polymerizations.
Other plausible mechanisms can be evoked, but the fact
remains that the added materials become a part of the
composition (undesirable for many medical applications).
As such, these chemical inclusions may elicit unfavorable
reactions in the cured state. In particular, the use of pH-based
accelerators may contribute to the alkaline hydrolysis of the
cyanoacrylate polymer.
This is particularly undesirable in medical applications of
the cyanoacrylates as the hydrolysis results in the evolution
of formaldehyde. A certain level of formaldehyde can be
tolerated by tissue as it is able to dispose of reasonable
concentrations. A solution proposed in the prior art has been
increasing the chain length of the cyanoacrylate monomer
side group; in particular, that it be alkyl so as to impart
hydrophobic character to the resulting polymer.
The prior art methods and compositions have been able to
achieve a synthesis of the octyl cyanoacrylate at economic
levels for applications in the medical field, although improb-
able for uses in commercial applications due to reaction
yields. A number of methods have been attempted to
improve yields. Yin-Chaos Tseng et al., BIOMATERIALS,
Vol 11, 1990. The variables looked at included: azeotropes,
temperature and formaldehyde/cyanoacetate ratio. Other
methods have also included assessment of different catalysts
for the condensation reaction. Regardless of the methods
tried, yields become increasingly smaller as the cyanoac-
etate pendant group becomes larger.
An attempt to improve yields is reported in U.S. Pat. No.
6,245,933 to Malofsky. This method attempts to avoid yield
losses by producing the high yield cyanoacrylate prepoly-
mers of the lower homologues (methyl & ethyl) and then
proceed through a transesterification with a longer chain
alcohol such as the octyl. Three reported examples with
2-octanol gave yields ranging from 21.8% to 36.2% of crude
monomer.
From this, it can be seen that high yields are difficult and
no doubt subsequent work-up to medically acceptable prod-
ucts result in even lower product output. The difficulty with
methods such as discussed above, is the undesirable side
products which are difficult to remove from the main stream.
In particular, it is difficult to achieve complete transesteri-
fication reactions on polymeric moieties because of steric
US 6,667,031 B2
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obstruction. As a consequence, purity is compromised as the
initial cyanoacrylate prepolymer is not completely reacted
and the lower homologue co-distills with the desired prod-
uct.
Other additives have been used to attenuate various
properties, such as modulus (elasticity), viscosity, thermal
resistance, etc. Each and every additive becomes a substance
that must be removed by the surrounding tissue, which
generally does not assist in recovery of the damaged area. In
that regard, the addition of these additives must weigh the
effect of property improvements against the effect on tissue
compatibility.
In contrast to additives for the cured adhesives are addi-
tives formulated into the synthesized monomers. The syn-
thetic route for monomer production relies on two principal
groups of stabilizers. The first group is chosen from sub-
stances capable of preventing free radical polymerization
and the second group inhibits the anionic polymerization.
The critical step in the production of these monomers
relies on the high temperature thermal degradation of the
polymer generated from the formaldehyde-cyanoacetate
reaction. These temperatures span the range of 150° C. to
excesses of 200° C. Under ideal conditions, this polymer
will undergo a clean unzipping reaction that releases the
cyanoacrylate monomer. This begins to take place in the
lower temperature regions and must be gradually elevated to
extract the increasingly difficult boiling off of the monomer.
Elevation of the temperature is necessary as byproducts
form and increasingly hamper the volatilization of the
desired monomer.
In order to prevent the thermal reversal of the monomer
back to polymer as it is generated and exits the body of fluid
polymer in the reaction vessel, retarders or inhibitors are
added at the beginning of this process. These substances
react with free radicals to form a stable unreactive species,
thereby halting the thermal polymerization typical of vinyl
monomers. Quinones are the most often used substances in
this group. Typical, but not exclusive, are hydroquinone and
methyl ether hydroquinone. The presence of these additives
is most critical in the monomer-polymer mix in the reaction
vessel. Once the monomer is vaporized, it is quickly cooled
to ambient conditions as it is distilled over to a suitable
receiver.
The second group of stabilizers are used to prevent the
anionic polymerization of the monomer in the reaction
vessel as well as the vapor and collected liquid monomer in
the receiver. Those knowledgeable in the art are quite
familiar with these substances. Typical, and again, not
exclusive, are the sulfonic acids and sulfur dioxide. In
general, acidic substances are chosen to effect stabilization
not only during the production of these monomers but
further for stabilization during storage.
Afine line exists in the levels of these anionic stabilizers.
If there is insufficient loading of these acids during the
polymer unzipping to monomer, the vaporized and condens-
ing monomer will begin to repolymerize throughout the
system. On the other hand, if too much anionic stabilizing
takes place in the distilled monomer, the desired repolymer-
ization is not easily accomplished. This is evidenced by
those patents cited above that deal with the loading of
alkaline substances and other anion polymer promoting
initiators in a porous tip. These additives are necessary to
overcome the excessive levels of anionic stabilizers that
co-distill during the distillation of monomer.
In the manufacture of the lower homologues such as the
methyl, ethyl, and butyl monomers, the degradation of the
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polymer to monomer is much more effective and gentle,
requiring lower levels of these anionic stabilizers. The
resultant distilled monomers are thereby stabilized suffi-
ciently and in some cases additional acid is charged, usually
under 100 parts per million, to effect a useful shelf life for
commercial applications.
These lower homologues are, as are all of the cyanocary-
lates (with some exceptions such as the difunctional ones),
distilled under vacuum conditions. The typical vacuum is in
the 0.5 mm Hg to 2.0 mm Hg. As the molecular weight of
these monomers increases, the required vacuum conditions
become more critical. In order to effectively distill the higher
molecular weights, the vacuum conditions must continue
beyond the range of approximately 0.5 mm Hg. Higher
distillation temperatures with poor vacuum conditions
results in increasing levels of undesirable byproducts, and
consequent poor yields and inferior product.
As a typical example, it is necessary to achieve a vacuum
in the range of approximately 0.01 mm Hg to 0.05 mm Hg
for the octyl monomer and higher homologues in order to
effectively distill the monomers in a nondestructive process.
This, however, is the crux of the problem in the isolation of
these monomers as confronted in the prior art methods and
systems.
The lower homologues and typical anionic stabilizers
have a sufficiently large difference in their respective boiling
points, such that very little stabilizer is co-distilled with the
monomer. This, however, becomes an increasingly impor-
tant issue as the vacuum levels proceed to better distill over
the higher boiling monomers like the octyl, decyl and so on.
The consequence then is that increasing levels of the stabi-
lizer co-distill along with the desired monomer. The result-
ant isolated monomer is excessively loaded with anionic
stabilizer(s) thus requiring the devices referred to above.
In addition, and as generally discussed above, prior art
methods for the synthesis of cyanoacrylate monomers gen-
erally require the addition of acids and free radical inhibitors
during the monomer synthesis. The free radical inhibitors
prevent premature polymerization during the thermal unzip-
ping reaction as well as the follow-up distillation step(s).
The acid additives are necessary to prevent premature poly-
merization during workup and storage of these composi-
tions. However, and as discussed above, as the chain lengths
become increasingly longer, higher temperatures are neces-
sary to effect the unzipping reaction. A direct unintended
result is that excessive levels of acid are necessary with the
consequent overstabilization of the distilled product.
It, therefore, becomes necessary to negate this overstabi-
lization in order to facilitate the anionic polymerization. To
date, all means of effecting this have been by pretreatment
of the substrate with, for example, alkaline and/or organic
soluble amines that are intended to initiate the anionic
polymerization by dissolution into the adhesive. Though not
specifically stated, this approach is apparently based on the
view that as the mass of the side chain group increases, the
polymerizability drops off. This is apparent, as all current
techniques rely on overriding the excess stabilizer levels.
Alternative methods employ a solution of these initiators
being sprayed over the adhesive after it has been applied to
the substrate. The other variant of this soluble initiator
method are those referenced above incorporating the initia-
tor in the porous applicator tip. As those skilled in the art
certainly appreciate, neither of these approaches is desirable
for medical procedures.
With the foregoing in mind, a need currently exists for a
method by which cyanoacrylate adhesives may be rapidly
US 6,667,031 B2
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cured without contaminants or extraneous additive. The
present invention provides such a method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention
to provide a new and unobvious method for curing
cyanoacrylate adhesives, permitting utilization of the result-
ing adhesives in the treatment of human, or animal, tissue
and/or flesh, required to be otherwise sealed or sutured, or
otherwise protected from its surroundings. The method has
been developed so as to minimize the presence of contami-
nants and extraneous additives in the resulting cured medical
adhesives.
It is further an object of the present invention to enhance
the cure speed of stabilized cyanoacrylate adhesives by a
treatment that removes excessive stabilizers prior to appli-
cation onto the substrate. The present cyanoacrylate adhe-
sives curing method allows for reduced levels of stabilizers
therein to be formulated to provide commercially sufficient
shelf life and improved speed of cure upon application. The
present method also enhances the cure speed of cyanoacry-
late adhesives by a destabilization treatment that purifies the
cyanoacrylate prior to the application onto the substrate and
results in the production of improved cyanoacrylate adhe-
sives that exhibit greater biocompatibility as a consequence
of modified polydispersity and longer monomeric chain
groups, especially such adhesives that exhibit attenuated
degradation of the polymer thereby exposing tissue contact-
ing the adhesive to lower levels of formaldehyde. The
present cyanoacrylate adhesives curing method further
allows for formulating unadulterated adhesives containing
no plasticizers while achieving the elastomeric properties
necessary for bonded substrates undergoing multidimen-
sional stresses.
The objects are achieved by an adhesive method com-
prising the steps of providing a long shelf life stable adhe-
sive composition comprising cyanoacrylate adhesive and a
stabilizing agent(s), presenting a substrate to receive at least
a portion of the cyanoacrylate adhesive composition and
applying the cyanoacrylate adhesive composition to the
substrate. The method is further achieved by removing a
predetermined quantity excess stabilizing agent(s) from the
cyanoacrylate adhesive composition prior to application to
the substrate.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the
present invention will become apparent from the detailed
descriptions given herein; it should be understood, however,
that the detailed descriptions, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given byway of illustra-
tion only, since various changes and modifications within the
spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from such descriptions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
The detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be inter-
preted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and
as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make
and/or use the invention.
As discussed above, the present invention generally
relates to a method for curing reactive monomeric
cyanoacrylates to undergo macromolecular formations via
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appropriate modification of anionic stabilizer levels in a
manner permitting utilization of the resulting adhesives in
the treatment of human, or animal, tissue and/or flesh,
required to be otherwise sealed or sutured, or otherwise
protected from its surroundings. While certain distinctions
maybe drawn between the usage of the terms “flesh” and
“tissue” within the scientific community, the terms are used
herein interchangeably as referring to a general substrate
upon which those skilled in the art would understand the
present adhesive to be utilized within the medical field for
the treatment of patients. Without being bound to a specific
mechanism, such modification of the anionic stabilizer lev-
els chemically and/or physically removes stabilizing agents
so the present method allows for reformulation of compo-
sitions capable of reasonable cure speeds without external
anionic initiators.
The present method generally includes the steps of pro-
viding a long shelf life stable adhesive composition com-
prising cyanoacrylate adhesive and a stabilizing agent(s),
removing excess stabilizing agent(s) from the adhesive
composition, presenting a substrate to receive at least a
portion of the cyanoacrylate adhesive composition and
applying the cyanoacrylate adhesive portion to the substrate.
Cyanoacrylate adhesives that may be used in accordance
with the present invention, comprise one or more monomers
having the following general structure:
CH2 :C(CN)—C(O)—Q—R.
Without encumbering the body of this patent with specific
examples of moieties, reference is made to the numerous
patents delineating the myriad of groups that can be repre-
sented by the moiety designated as R, many representative
examples being given in the cited references. With this in
mind, these, as well as other moieties, may be employed
without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In
the case of difunctional bis cyanoacrylates, R would be
bound to two reactive groups. These are, therefore, intended
to define and be included by general reference to such prior
art and by those knowledgeable thereof.
As discussed above in the Background of the Invention,
the various methods for the synthesis of these monomers
generally require the addition of acids and free radical
inhibitors during the monomer synthesis. The free radical
inhibitors prevent premature polymerization during the ther-
mal unzipping reaction as well as the follow-up distillation
step(s). The acid additives are necessary to prevent prema-
ture polymerization during work-up and storage of these
compositions.
However, as the chain lengths become increasingly
longer, higher temperatures are necessary to effect the unzip-
ping reaction. A direct unintended result is that excessive
levels of acid are necessary with the consequent overstabi-
lization of the distilled product. It, therefore, becomes nec-
essary to negate this overstabilization in order to facilitate
anionic polymerization of the adhesive composition.
Prior art techniques rely upon pretreatment of the sub-
strate with, for example, alkaline and/or organic soluble
amines that are intended to initiate the anionic polymeriza-
tion by dissolution into the adhesive. This approach is
apparently based on the view that as the mass of the side
chain group increases, the polymerizability drops off. This is
apparent, as all current techniques rely on overriding the
excess stabilizer levels. Alternative prior art methods
employ a solution of these initiators being sprayed over the
adhesive after it has been applied to the substrate. The other
variant of this soluble initiator method are those referenced
above incorporating the initiator in the porous applicator tip.
US 6,667,031 B2
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Since the difficulty in polymerization of these longer
chain moieties is due to excessive acid levels, in accordance
with the present invention the acids are removed rather than
neutralized. As noted above, polymerization is achieved by
the addition of initiators to overcome the stabilizing effects
of these acids and so remain in the resultant polymer matrix.
The concept of acid removal is also the focus of a
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/982,226,
filed Dec. 19, 2001, which is incorporated herein by refer-
ence. The ’226 application describes the use of acid remov-
ing particulates during the coincidental application of these
adhesives. The utility of this method is limited by a period
of time in which the adhesive can be applied. It would be
most desirable to have a greater degree of freedom in time
to apply these adhesives.
This present method achieves this goal by removing
stabilizers in cyanoacrylate adhesives prior to their applica-
tion to substrates. This renders the resultant purified com-
positions highly susceptible to polymerizations when
applied to the substrates. Again, without being bound to any
single specific mechanism, this process relies on a combi-
nation of physical adsorption/absorption, chemical reaction,
and hydrogen bonding of the acid group(s) onto particulate
surfaces. It is necessary to have the acid removing particu-
late substances, in fluid contact with the excessively stabi-
lized monomer(s), be insoluble or otherwise isolatable from
the monomers, such as by filtration, centrifugation, phasing
out, membrane separation, or other appropriate isolating
mechanism. The requisite is the isolation of the acids or
other stabilizers from the monomers.
Substances exhibiting these mechanisms encompass poly-
mers capable of forming hydrogen bonds with the stabilizing
acids. These polymeric materials can have carbonyl,
hydroxyl, amide, carboxylic, amine, ether, anhydride, ester,
urethane, sulfone or other structures or combination struc-
tures capable of coupling or otherwise fixing the acid
stabilizer to the isolatable substances. These polymeric
materials can also be inorganic such as silicates. Other
contemplated particulates are those in which the stabilizers
are selectively trapped in zeolytic substances or otherwise
caged in molecular sieves.
Chcmical isolation can be achieved by, for example,
reactive contact with anhydride structures such as on
copolymers containing maleic anhydride. It is postulated
that the anhydride structure reacts to form an anhydride link
with the mobile (stabilizing) acid and a carboxylic group,
both being bound to the polymer chain; an example for this
being maleic anhydride copolymers of styrene and ethylene.
Physical removal of the excess stabilizers may be accom-
plished by such substances as activated carbon, which
appears to rely on adsorption of the stabilizer(s) as a result
of the high surface area and polar surface structures.
These mechanisms of treatment are not meant to be
mutually exclusive, but can, in fact, be acting by any and all
combinations to remove the excessive stabilizers. A typical
example is the use of activated carbon, which has oxidation
structures that are likely to participate in hydrogen bonding
as well as physical adsorption. A further example is the use
of more than one substance, such as polymer(s) and
inorganic(s) in a single treatment or sequential or multiple
treatments.
To most effectively use stabilized cyanoacrylate adhesives
for medical applications in accordance with the invention,
they are stored in a device that houses a crushable ampoule
containing such adhesives. Such ampoule containing
devices maybe constructed of any number of materials that
can be shaped or molded or otherwise fabricated to contain
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the adhesive and ampoule. The application devices are
preferably manufactured from such materials as to effect a
resilient wall capable of transmitting pressure to the crush-
able ampoule without loss of its containment properties.
These application devices advantageously further comprise
a filtering component and nozzle for application of the
filtered adhesive to the substrate, for example, tissue of the
patient being treated. Examples of application devices which
may be used in accordance with the present method are
disclosed in detail in the ’226 application which, as dis-
cussed above, is incorporated herein by reference.
The application devices can also be designed to apply the
product in a continuous manner. An example of such a
device is one that incorporates a reservoir of the appropriate
adhesive feeding through a valving mechanism, thereby
providing a source of adhesive without an ampoule.
In multi-application uses the properly treated cyanoacry-
late is contained in appropriate vessels such as glass or high
density polyethylene. These containers may be pretreated so
as to effect useful shelf life. Reference again is made to those
familiar with the art and patents delineating the various
methods to achieve this treatment. Typically a container
would hold 2-5 grams of product to provide many topical
applications with appropriate disposable applicators such as
pipettes.
In a preferred embodiment, one of the above described
devices houses iso-octyl cyanoacrylate which has been
previously treated with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate)
copolymer. The ampoule is crushed and the contents are then
expressed through the appropriate filter and dispenser tip
onto the substrate, specifically human, or animal tissue, or
skin. The application is accomplished in such fashion as to
prevent encapsulation of adhesive by any surrounding tis-
sue. Though ultimately these inclusions are degraded and
excreted, it is most desirable to minimize this occurrence to
maximize reconstitution of the surrounding tissue. The need
to assure this minimization was noted in U.S. Pat. No.
3,667,472 which pointed out the requisite to bridge the
wound without diffusing into it. This was accomplished by
bringing the wound edges together followed by application
so as to effect a bridging over the wound to circumvent
necrosis and irritation by this technique.
A second preferred embodiment utilizes the above
described devices containing iso-decyl cyanoacrylate
Athird preferred embodiment utilizes the above described
devices containing dodecyl cyanoacrylate.
A fourth preferred embodiment includes the above with
combinations of cyanoacrylate monomers to achieve control
over the rate of hydrolytic degradation so as to improve
compatibility with tissue by control of formaldehyde emis-
sions.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the invention
employs vinyl pyrrolidone polymers and copolymers to
remove stabilizers from the cyanoacrylate adhesives formu-
lation. These particulate agents are combined with the
monomer adhesive in mutual contact until the adhesive is
destabilized, whereupon the adhesive becomes isolated from
the destabilizing agent by various means such as to effect
isolation of the adhesive from the destabilizing component.
Once isolated, the adhesive is restabilized at reduced levels
so as to effect timely cure rates in the 5 seconds to approxi-
mately one minute range. It should further be understood
that these particulate agents may have some degree of
solubility and therefore may pass through along with the
adhesive onto the substrate. It is only a requisite that enough
excess stabilizer is left behind so as to provide the desirable
speed of cure. It should be understood that oligomeric or low
US 6,667,031 B2
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molecular weight fractions may indeed be somewhat soluble
in the cyanoacrylate adhesives but still be effective in
producing a desirable adhesive composition.
Advantageously, the device of the invention is one that (a)
delivers the cyanoacrylate adhesive of convenient viscosity,
(b) contains a porous segment for the containment of the
ampoule and other components so as to permit the release of
the adhesive with no particulate components being released
onto the substrate to which it is applied, (c) delivers the
adhesive through a nozzle applicator tip configured for
appropriate application onto the substrate, and (d) can be
used with other monomer formulations prior to application
to effect the desired result such as polymerizations to pro-
duce various thermoplastic and thermoset resins of both
organic and inorganic nature.
All of preferred embodiments disclosed in accordance
with the present invention should be understood to further
include all of the various additives useful in the alteration
and improvement to cyanoacrylate adhesives as would make
them suitable for placement into the above devices,
substrates, and modifications to these and similar devices.
These can include plasticizers, stabilizers, surface insensi-
tive additives, tougheners, thickeners, adhesion promoters,
other monomers, comonomers, and other such compositions
as would be evident to those familiar with the cyanoacrylate
adhesives art.
The following preferred examples further disclose the
new method and display its effectiveness.
EXAMPLE 1
A quantity of particulate destabilizing agent (5 grams) in
the form of vinyl pyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer is
blended with (25 grams) iso-octyl cyanoacrylate for a period
of 24 hours. The resultant slurry is filtered to effectively
remove the destabilizing agent and is restabilized at a level
to achieve the desired cure speed for the following test. In
particular, 6 grams of the treated monomer is blended with
0.012 grams of pretreated monomer. A glass ampoule is
charged with 0.5 grams of treated monomer and sealed with
a gas flame. The ampoule is inserted into a tubular device
referred to as a Tandem Dropper supplied by James Alex-
ander Company of Blairstown, N.J., that also provided
unsealed ampoules. In order to filter matter dispensed from
the dispenser tip of the Tandem Dropper, it is plugged
internally with a small wad of polyester fiber also supplied
by James Alexander Company. The dispenser tip press fits
onto the end of the Tandem Dropper after insertion of the
sealed ampoule.
The assembled device is squeezed to effect rupture of the
ampoule. Pressure is applied so as to exude a drop of
adhesive through the filtering tip. The drop is applied to skin
and timed to determine when the film has undergone cure to
a non-tacky surface. The iso-octyl cyanoacrylate undergoes
cure in 10-20 seconds upon application to skin on the back
of the hand. This contrasts with untreated iso-octyl cyanaoc-
rylate which shows no sign of cure up to 3 minutes where-
upon the test is terminated.
EXAMPLE 2
A 10 milliliter glass vial is charged with 0.5 grams of
activated charcoal Calgon WPX, sourced from Calgon Car-
bon Corp. of Pittsburgh Pa. Followed by this is a 6.0 gram
charge of iso-octyl cyanoacrylate which is mixed for a
period of 30 minutes. The resulting dispersion is filtered to
isolate the cyanoacrylate into a small ampoule. Atest of cure
speed on skin of the isolated monomer results in the forma-
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tion of a protective film in 10 to 20 seconds in a manner
similar to example 1 above.
EXAMPLE 3
A 3 milliliter test tube is charged with 0.016 grams of
anhydrous potassium carbonate and 2.030 grams of iso-octyl
cyanoacrylate which is then sealed and shaken for approxi-
mately 2 hours. It is stored for 17 days. Asample is removed
and applied to the skin with a consequent film cure in a range
of 110 to 120 seconds.
EXAMPLE 4
Example 3 is repeated with a higher loading of the
anhydrous carbonate: 0.27 grams and 2.46 grams of iso-
octyl cyanoacrylate. The test tube is stored for 15 days
whereupon a test of cure exhibits film formation in 120
seconds.
EXAMPLE 5
A 50 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 1.5 grams
of polyvinyl alcohol granules (BP-05) and 18.5 grams of
iso-octyl cyanoacrylate. The dispersion is intermittently
shaken for a period of 48 hours due to the more coarse nature
of the polymer. A sample is taken and tested on skin to show
a cure of film in 90 to 100 seconds.
EXAMPLE 6
A flask is charged and sealed with 1.0 grams of ethylene-
vinyl acetate copolymer RP251 (Wacker Polysystems) and
18.5 grams of iso-octyl cyanaocrylate. The dispersion is
intermittently shaken for 48 hours prior to the skin test.
Upon testing the treated monomer cured in approximately
100 seconds
EXAMPLE 7
Example 6 is repeated with RP140, a vinyl acetate
homopolymer. The resultant treated monomer gave a cure
after 130 seconds.
EXAMPLE 8
A 10 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 1.0 grams
of poly(methyl methacrylate) (Rhohadon M449, Rohmtech
Inc.) and 6 grams of iso-octyl cyanaocrylate After intermit-
tent shaking for 24 hours, the dispersion is filtered and the
isolated monomer is tested to reveal a film formation in 30
to 35 seconds.
EXAMPLE 9
A 10 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 1.0 grams
of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA-3000,
Atochem Inc.) and 6 grams of iso-octyl cyanoacrylate.
Subsequent isolation of the monomer after 24 hours of
treatment gave a cured film on skin in approximately 65
seconds.
EXAMPLE 10
A 10 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 0.5 grams
of zinc oxide (AZO66, US Zinc Products Inc.) and 6 grams
of iso-octyl cyanoacrylate After shaking the dispersion for
30 minutes, subsequent filtration and testing on skin gave a
cure in 50 to 60 seconds.
EXAMPLE 11
A 10 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 0.5 grams
of “Hydrosource” (1-2 mm average diameter particles)
US 6,667,031 B2
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polyacrylamide (Castle International) and 6.0 grams of
iso-octyl cyanoacrylate. Subsequent testing after 4 hours of
mixing gave a 30 second cure on skin.
EXAMPLE 12
A 10 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 1.6 grams
of glass spheres (Class 4A size 203 from Cataphote Corp.)
and 4.4 grams of iso-octyl cyanoacrylate. The mix was
shaken for 2 hours prior to testing. The sampled droplet was
spread on skin giving a 60 second cure.
EXAMPLE 13
A 10 milliliter flask is charged and sealed with 1.6 grams
of pulverized polyimide resin (Dupont Kapton 700HPP-ST
film) and 4.4 grams of iso-octyl cyanoacrylate. The mix was
shaken overnight prior to testing. An isolated sample gave a
skin surface cure of 120 seconds.
EXAMPLE 14
A two ounce opaque polyethylene bottle is charged with
0.57 grams of vinyl pyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer and
30 grams of iso-octyl cyanoacrylate. The container is shaken
for five minutes and stored for 3 months. Asample was taken
and passed through a 0.2 micron filter with a 1 milliliter
syringe. Application onto skin gave a very rapid cure of
10-15 seconds with a noticeable warmth due to the more
rapid polymerization.
As evidenced by the last example, these additives can be
left in contact with the cyanoacrylate with no apparent
detriment to the shelf life and cure of the final product. It is
further evident that these products can be kept without the
need to isolate and store in glass ampoules. This further
leads to the capability of large reservoirs of product to be
dispensable through a disposable fibrous or porous tip. This
is particularly advantageous in procedures where quantities
necessary exceed the capacity of the crushable ampoules.
The only limitations to the various treatments is the ability
to isolate a practical level of cyanoacrylate monomer, i.e.,
that concentrations even at levels creating slurries can be
filtered off to achieve economic quantities. These examples
serve to show the extensive applicability of the primary
requisite: to remove excessive stabilizer(s). No other refer-
ences have addressed this issue, as those knowledgeable in
the science and art of this technology have always under-
stood the need to add, not remove, these stabilizing sub-
stances. It has not previously been recognized that the
synthesis and isolation of these long chain side group
cyanoacrylates results in excessive levels of these stabiliz-
ers. The preceding examples are intended to show the
various types of cyanoacrylate insoluble materials that can
perform the extraction of stabilizers. They are therefore
intended to exemplify, not define the limits, of applicable
substances.
While the preferred embodiments have been shown and
described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit
the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to
cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
I claim:
1. A method for the fabrication of a cyanoacrylate adhe-
sive so as to minimize the presence of contaminants and
extraneous additives in the resulting cured adhesives and
enhancing the cure speed of stabilized cyanoacrylate adhe-
sive by a treatment that removes excessive stabilizers prior
to application onto a substrate, the method comprising the
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steps of (a) providing a stable adhesive composition com-
prising cyanoacrylate adhesive and a stabilizing agent to
produce a cyanoacrylate adhesive composition, (b) present-
ing a substrate to receive at least a portion of the cyanoacry-
late adhesive composition and (c) applying the cyanoacry-
late adhesive composition to the substrate,
the improvement comprising the step of removing stabi-
lizing agent from the cyanoacrylate adhesive compo-
sition prior to the step of applying, wherein the step of
removing stabilizing agent from the cyanoacrylate
adhesive composition consists essentially of contacting
the cyanoacrylate composition with a particulate agent
and subsequently isolating the particulate agent and the
stabilizing agent from the cyanoacrylate adhesive via
an isolation process.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the
cyanoacrylate adhesive comprises one or more monomers
having the general structure.
CH2:C(CN)—C(0)—()—R.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein “R” is
selected from the group consisting of octyl, decyl, dodecyl,
and tridecyl.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the
cyanoacrylate adhesive incorporates a difunctional bis
cyanoacrylate.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particu-
late agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvi-
nylpyrrolidone and copolymers thereof.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particu-
late agent is selected from the group consisting of polymeric
materials having carbonyl, hydroxyl, amide, carboxylic,
amine, ether, anhydride, ester, urethane or sulfone structures,
silicates and activated carbon.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate
is tissue required to be sutured or sealed, or otherwise
protected from its surroundings.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of
removing excess stabilizing agent is chosen from the group
of mechanisms consisting of physical adsorption/ absorption,
chemical reaction, and hydrogen bonding of acid groups.
9. A method for the fabrication of a cyanoacrylate adhe-
sive so as to minimize the presence of contaminants and
extraneous additives in the resulting cured adhesives and
enhancing the cure speed of stabilized cyanoacrylate adhe-
sive by a treatment that removes excessive stabilizers prior
to application onto a substrate, the method comprising the
following steps:
providing stable adhesive composition comprising
cyanoacrylate adhesive and a stabilizing agent to pro-
duce a cyanoacrylate adhesive composition;
removing stabilizing agent from the cyanoacrylate adhe-
sive composition, wherein the step of removing stabi-
lizing agent from the cyanoacrylate adhesive compo-
sition consists essentially of contacting the
cyanoacrylate composition with a particulate agent and
subsequently isolating the particulate agent and the
stabilizing agent from the cyanoacrylate adhesive via
an isolation process;
presenting a substrate to receive at least a portion of the
cyanoacrylate adhesive composition; and
applying the cyanoacrylate adhesive composition to the
substrate.
US 6,667,031 B2
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10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the
cyanoacrylate adhesive comprises one or more monomers
having the general structure.
CH2 :C(CN)—C(O)—O—R.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein “R” is
selected from the group consisting of octyl, decyl, dodecyl,
and tridecyl.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the
cyanoacrylate adhesive incorporates a difunctional bis
cyanoacrylate.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the par-
ticulate agent is selected from the group consisting of
polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers thereof.
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14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the par-
ticulate agent is selected from the group consisting of
polymeric materials having carbonyl, hydroxyl, amide,
carboxylic, amine, ether, anhydride, ester, urethane or sul-
fone structures, silicates and activated carbon.
15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sub-
strate is tissue required to be sutured or sealed, or otherwise
protected from its surroundings.
16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of
removing excess stabilizing agent is chosen from the group
of mechanisms consisting of physical adsorption/ absorption,
chemical reaction, and hydrogen bonding of acid groups.