It's tough enough to fix ruptured blood vessels, but now, there's a new light activated glue method for mending internal wounds. Using glue to mend stuff doesn't sound that great, but this method is pretty damn good.

The glue is biodegradable, but not too degradable because it will have to stick around until the tissue heals. It also works on wet surfaces, and is non-toxic.

The scientists and doctors in Boston described the new material in the journal Science Translational Medicine, and the polymer, which is made up of non-toxic glycerol and sebacic acid goes on as a viscous gel. It will be able to bind molecules together into a flexible adhesive.

They've tested it out in pig hearts, and now human trials are up next. It can be beneficial to babies, whose tiny hearts are difficult to suture or staple. The surgical glue can be used on skin incisions, and none of them work well inside the body because of toxicity or lack of flexibility.

And to think, the inspiration for this glue came from a sandcastle worm. The worm glues together bits of sand into a tube it inhabits and it will stay intact even in a wet environment.

[Science Translational Medicine via The Scientist]