STICK2HEAL · Innovative adhesives for ear drum healing

The ERC ADG “Engineering of biomimetic surfaces – Switchable micropatterns for controlled adhesion and touch” (SWITCH2STICK) has developed micropatterned polymer surfaces for innovative adhesive functions without glues, based on the “gecko adhesion principle”. While robotic applications were originally in the focus of these developments, a radically new application field of these microstructures will be taken to the initial steps of application and subsequent commercialization: the repair of injuries of the human tympanic membrane. Tympanic membrane damage is a frequent medical affliction, affecting over 30 million patients worldwide each year. It results in hearing loss, associated with a dramatic impact of the patients’ quality of life and a significant healthcare burden. Our invention suggests a new therapeutic option to replace conventional therapies: Wound management with a novel gecko-inspired surface structure. In collaboration with clinicians, the feasibility of the new technology has been demonstrated. When designed for interaction with skin, our surfaces cling reliably to mouse ear drums for up to 28 days. In addition to the adhesive function, they provide support for cell growth and proliferation and allow the option of local drug delivery due to the micropattern. Besides detailed market analyses and dissemination, activities in the proposed project range from a technical and pre-clinical validation in an animal model to establishing an IPR strategy and an initiation of the medical product certification. Our invention will overcome several critical limitations of existing solutions. Besides ear-drum repair, the project enables a wide field of additional medical applications ranging from electrode fixation to the fitting of wearable healthcare electronics. This PoC project is therefore to be seen as a preparatory step for exploring the market potential of various micropatterned medical surfaces and preparing a solid commercialization in this field.