Modular stimuli-responsive hydrogel sealants for early gastrointestinal leak detection and containment
Abstract
Millions of patients every year undergo gastrointestinal surgery. While often lifesaving, sutured and stapled reconnections leak in around 10% of cases.
Currently, surgeons rely on the monitoring of surrogate markers and clinical symptoms, which often lack sensitivity and specificity, hence only offering late-stage detection of fully developed leaks. Here, we present a holistic solution in the form of a modular, intelligent suture support sealant patch capable of containing and detecting leaks early.
The pH and/or enzyme-responsive triggerable sensing elements can be read out by point-of-need ultrasound imaging. We demonstrate reliable detection of the breaching of sutures, in as little as 3 hours in intestinal leak scenarios and 15 minutes in gastric leak conditions.
This technology paves the way for next-generation suture support materials that seal and offer disambiguation in cases of anastomotic leaks based on point-of-need monitoring, without reliance on complex electronics or bulky (bio)electronic implantables. Digestive surgical leaks manifesting days after a successful surgery can lead to severe complications and affect healthcare worldwide.
Here, the authors address the problem holistically with a hydrogel patch capable of sealing tissues, while detecting imminent leaks via a smartphone-operated ultrasound probe.