Vapor Welding‐Assisted Electrospinning: Bioactive Composite Patch with Superior Mechanical Strength for Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff tears are a prevalent source of shoulder pain and functional impairment. Patch augmentation technology emerges as a pioneering approach for rotator cuff repair, primarily enhancing repair success by providing structural support and inducing tissue regeneration. However, current patch materials often fail to balance high mechanical strength with optimal bioactivity, hindering clinical application. This work introduces an innovative vapor welding‐assisted electrospinning technique to create a poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)/small intestinal submucosa (PLGA/SIS) composite patch (vapor welding‐assisted electrospinning poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)/small intestinal submucosa composite patch (WPSP)) that synergizes superior mechanical strength with enhanced bioactivity. The PLGA matrix ensures structural robustness, while SIS contributes significant bioinductive properties. Crucially, vapor welding promotes the physical bonding between neighboring fibers, further boosting mechanical properties. As a result, mechanical assessment reveals a 60% increase in tensile strength for WPSP (8.72 ± 0.28 MPa) over unwelded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)/small intestinal submucosa composite patch (5.44 ± 0.42 MPa), confirming vapor welding's reinforcing efficacy. Beyond mechanical superiority, WPSP also demonstrates pronounced bioactivity, accelerating cellular proliferation and migration compared to pure PLGA. Its osteogenic and tenogenic potential are evidenced by increased alkaline phosphatase activity and upregulated runt‐related transcription factor 2 expression, alongside a 1.4‐fold rise in vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, highlighting its proangiogenic capacity. These findings suggest the composite patch's potential to improve tendon–bone interface restoration, offering groundbreaking strategies for rotator cuff injury treatment.