Micro/Nanostructured Films and Adhesives for Biomedical Applications

J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2015 Dec;11(12):2081-110. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2015.2097.

Abstract

The advanced technologies available for micro/nanofabrication have opened new avenues for interdisciplinary approaches to solve the unmet medical needs of regenerative medicine and biomedical devices. This review highlights the recent developments in micro/nanostructured adhesives and films for biomedical applications, including waterproof seals for wounds or surgery sites, drug delivery, sensing human body signals, and optical imaging of human tissues. We describe in detail the fabrication processes required to prepare the adhesives and films, such as tape-based adhesives, nanofilms, and flexible and stretchable film-based electronic devices. We also discuss their biomedical functions, performance in vitro and in vivo, and the future research needed to improve the current systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adhesives / chemistry*
  • Adhesives / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mechanical Phenomena
  • Microtechnology / methods*
  • Nanostructures*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*

Substances

  • Adhesives
  • Biocompatible Materials