title: A comparative investigation of mussel-mimetic sealants for fetal membrane repair.
abstract: Towards the prevention of iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the fetal membrane, two mussel-mimetic tissue adhesives (cT and cPEG) have been compared and qualified as possible sealants for membrane repair. Monotonic and cyclic inflation tests of repaired fetal membranes were carried out in order to investigate the performance of the glues under quasi-static, fast, and repeated loading. Finite element simulations of repaired and inflated synthetic membranes allowed to compare cT and cPEG under large deformations. Both adhesives seal the membrane well, resisting pressures higher than the intra-uterine baseline. Only under repeated mechanical load, as well as under fast and acute deformation of the membrane, the sealing performance has deteriorated. Even though cT loses adhesion to the deformed membrane, it is able to withstand high deformations and pressures without rupturing, while cPEG breaks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: perrini@imes.mavt.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
authors.forename: Devin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ochsenbein-Koelble
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: Departments of Bioengineering and Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1760, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Messersmith
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: martin.ehrbar@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ehrbar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D032701:Biomimetics; D049872:Bivalvia; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014014:Tissue Adhesives
keywords: Fetal membrane; Inflation test; Mussel-mimetic sealant; iPPROM