2012

Polystyrene (PS) is currently used as packaging, insulating and storing material in various industrial or domestic fields. As a result, a large quantity of PS wastes is produced. Plastic wastes are not usually biodegradable, so it is necessary to suggest a technology to recycle them. Landfills and incineration are reasonably cheap methods but are not environmentally acceptable, therefore, alternative methods for polymer recycling are required. The general purpose of PS foam recycling is to recover a more compact polymeric material without degradation.

Self-immolative polymers (SIPs) are unique macromolecules that are able to react to multiple types of environmental influences by giving amplified response outputs. When triggering moieties installed at SIP chain ends are activated by their corresponding stimuli, a spontaneous head-to-tail depolymerization ensues, often involving multitopic release of small molecules. SIP designs have evolved a high degree of modularity in each of their functional components, enabling a broad range of utility and applications-driven tuning.

Chitosan–poly(ethylene glycol)–tyramine (CPT) hydrogels were rapidly formed in situ using horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide to explore their performance as efficient tissueadhesives. A poly(ethylene glycol) modified with tyramine was grafted onto a chitosan backbone to enhance the solubility of the chitosan and to crosslink into three-dimensional networks. The elastic modulus of the hydrogels could be controlled by changing the crosslinking conditions, and the mechanical strength influenced the tissue adhesiveness of the hydrogels.

Hierarchical biological materials such as bone, sea shells, and marine bioadhesives are providing inspiration for the assembly of synthetic molecules into complex structures. The adhesive system of marine mussels has been the focus of much attention in recent years. Several catechol-containing polymers are being developed to mimic the cross-linking of proteins containing 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) used by shellfish for sticking to rocks. Many of these biomimetic polymer systems have been shown to form surface coatings or hydrogels; however, bulk adhesion is demonstrated less often.

Disclosed are processes for sterilization of cyanoacrylate adhesive compositions, the compositions, comprising 2-cyanoacrylate ester monomers, so produced and a method for assaying the effectiveness of the sterilization process. The process comprises heating the adhesive composition to from about 70° C. to about 140° C. for an effective amount of time.

Many synthetic materials are being used in order to reduce the frequency of prolonged air leak (PAL) in thoracic surgical practice. This study presents our experience with the topical application of acrylate co-monomer (Glubran-2) as a synthetic tissue adhesive in an attempt to decrease troublesome postoperative air leaks in patients undergoing resection for non-small cell lung carcinoma. Of the 112 patients who had undergone resection for lung carcinoma, 69 patients having lobectomy or bilobectomy were included in this study.

Currently, new formulations of -cyanoacrylic tissue adhesives, are being studied for the repair of soft and hard tissue in order to improve properties such as: biodegradability, biocompatibility bone flexibility (in the soft tissue applications) and ease of handling. This paper presents a review of scientific literature related to new formulations of -cyanoacrylic adhesives and medical applications.

The need for medical grade tissue adhesives both in surgery and to treat trauma has become well established. Such a device has been developed and preliminary toxicity testing completed on a compounded cyanoacrylate (Neucrylate), and its properties have been modified so it may be used as an intravascular embolic agent. Given the high incidence of iatrogenic infections in hospital, it would be desirable to have such an implantable device that inhibits dangerous bacteria.

A multi-layer, biodegradable film is disclosed. The multi-layer, biodegradable film contains a biodegradable core layer and a biodegradable pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The film may further contain a biodegradable, printable layer and a release liner.