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Nanoshell assisted laser soldering of vascular tissue
Daniel S Schöni1, Serge Bogni, Amadé Bregy
1Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|November 24, 2011
Summary
This study introduces a novel nanotechnology approach for laser tissue soldering using indocyanine green (ICG) packed nanoshells. This method enhances reproducibility and strength in tissue fusion, showing potential for clinical applications in vascular anastomosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Laser tissue soldering (LTS) offers promise for tissue fusion but suffers from poor reproducibility due to uncontrolled indocyanine green (ICG) absorption.
- Nanotechnology provides a means to precisely control ICG quantity, addressing LTS limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly reproducible and robust tissue fusion technique using ICG-loaded nanoshells within a scaffold.
- To prevent ICG dilution during the soldering process for consistent energy absorption.
Main Methods:
- Nanoshells (250-270 nm) loaded with ICG were incorporated into a porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with albumin solder.
- The nanoshell-infused scaffold was formulated for surgical use, and its heating, tensile strength, and tissue damage were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Successful soldering of rabbit aortic arteries was achieved using the ICG-nanoshell scaffold.
- Soldered anastomoses exhibited a tensile strength of 734 ± 327 mN (median 640 mN).
- Thermal damage was localized to the adventitia; absorber dilution was prevented, leading to reduced temperature variance compared to liquid ICG.
Conclusions:
- Controlled ICG loading into polymer scaffolds via nanoshells was successfully demonstrated.
- ICG-nanoshell scaffolds enable strong and reproducible laser soldering of vascular tissue.
- This improved LTS technique shows potential for clinical application in vascular anastomosis.
