Adhesive devices and uses thereof
The invention features adhesive devices for holding objects (e.g., bone fragments) fixed with respect to each other.
1 . A method for reversibly stabilizing bone fragments in a body, the method comprising:
(i) forming a first reversible anchor on a first bone fragment by (a) heating an adhesive composition to form a softened adhesive composition and contacting the softened adhesive composition to the first bone fragment, and (b) permitting the softened adhesive composition to cool to form the first anchor affixed to the first bone fragment;
(ii) forming a second reversible anchor on a second bone fragment by (a) heating an adhesive composition to form a softened adhesive composition and contacting the softened adhesive composition to the second bone fragment, and (b) permitting the softened adhesive composition to cool to form the second anchor affixed to the second bone fragment;
wherein the heating comprises applying ultrasonic energy using an ultrasonic welder at a frequency of from 35 kHz to 70 KHz;
wherein the adhesive composition comprises hydroxyapatite as a heat transfer agent, a filler comprising polycaprolactone (PCL), polydioxanone (PDX), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), or poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), hydroxyapatite (HA), or a copolymer thereof, or a blend thereof, and the adhesive composition has a tackifying temperature from 40° C. to 55° C., and
wherein the first anchor and the second anchor are connected to a support structure for stabilizing the bone fragments; and
wherein the adhesive composition is not dependent upon in situ curing reactions for adhesion.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a flexible support comprising a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer linking the first anchor to the second anchor.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the support structure, the first anchor, and the second anchor are formed from a tape comprising (x) a non-adhesive top layer that is the support structure, and (y) a bottom layer that is adhesive when softened to form the first anchor and the second anchor.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition is not water soluble.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition comprises a heat transfer agent.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the heat transfer agent is present in an amount that permits the softened adhesive composition to cool and harden in 120 seconds or less or in 10 seconds or less.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the heat transfer agent is present in an amount that permits the adhesive composition to soften within 120 seconds or less of applying energy or within 10 seconds or less of applying energy.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition comprises a polymer of formula (I):
wherein
n is an integer from 0 to 4 (e.g., n=1, 2, 3, or 4);
Block B comprises an oligomer derived from a polyester, polalkylene glycol, polysilicone, or polycarbonate with a MW≤4,000 g/mol;
Block A comprises an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkylene, wherein Block A is derived from a diisocyanate crosslinker;
Block W comprises an optionally substituted C 0 -C 3 alkyl-benzene-diol or optionally substituted C 0 -C 3 alkyl-benzene-triol;
Linker L′ comprises a carbamate; and
Linker L comprises a urea.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic energy is 70 KHz.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein from 1.5 to 5.0 J of energy is applied.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied in an amount sufficient to displace fluids between the adhesive composition and the bone fragment prior to the formation of the first anchor and the second anchor.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic welder comprises a horn tip with individual texture elements, and wherein the individual texture elements are evenly spaced apart with uniform depths of up to 0.127 mm.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein (i) the support structure and (ii) at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor are arranged to form an adhesive portion and a support portion that forms a backing to the adhesive portion, and wherein the adhesive portion when heated is capable of softening without deformation of the support portion.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the backing portion has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.31 mm, optionally wherein the backing portion has a thickness of from 0.12 to 0.20 mm.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the adhesive portion has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.16 mm, optionally wherein the adhesive portion has a thickness of 0.075±0.025 mm.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the adhesive portion has a thickness of 0.13±0.03 mm.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the heating comprises application with a welder via a series of consecutive welding tacks normal to an application surface so as to cover all of the application surface.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the heating comprises continuous sliding of a welder across an entire device surface in a brushstroke or painting motion.