A medical adhesive that bonds well to human tissue while curing in a fast, controllable mariner. In a preferred form, the medical adhesive includes an oligomer, a hydrogel and/or water soluble polymer and a photoinitiator. Preferred oligomers include epoxides, urethanes, polyethers, polyester or a combination thereof. Hydrogels and water soluble polymers aid adhesion to moist surfaces, such as skin tissue, because they are hydrophilic and biodegradable, Preferred hydrogels include polymer hydrogels (PHGs). Suitable water soluble polymers include polyethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly-2-oxazoline. The photoinitiator is used to obtain fast, controllable curing of the adhesive compound. Curing takes place on demand when ultraviolet (UV) light is applied to the medical adhesive. To increase adhesion as well as to control flexibility and toughness, the medical adhesive may also include one or more monomers. Suitable monomers include acrylates and vinyls.
