Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Ultrasonic Welding of Thermoplastic Composite Coupons for Mechanical Characterization of Welded Joints through Single Lap Shear Testing
Published on: February 11, 2016
Laser-assisted vascular welding: optimization of acute and post-hydration welding strength
Dara R Pabittei1,2,3, Michal Heger4, Marc Simonet5
1Department of Cardio -thoracic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background:
Liquid solder laser-assisted vascular welding using biocompatible polymeric scaffolds (ssLAVW) is a novel technique for vascular anastomoses. Although ssLAVW has pronounced advantages over conventional suturing, drawbacks include low welding strength and extensive thermal damage.
Aim:
To determine optimal ssLAVW parameters for maximum welding strength and minimal thermal damage.
Methods:
Substudy 1 compared breaking strength (BS) of aortic strips welded with electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold, 670-nm laser, 50-s single-spot continuous lasing (SSCL), and semi-solid solder (48% bovine serum albumin (BSA)/0.5% methylene blue (MB)/3% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)). Substudy 2 compared the semi-solid solder to 48% BSA/0.5% MB/0.38% genipin and 48% BSA/0.5% MB/3% HPMC/0.38% genipin solder. Substudy 3 compared SSCL to single-spot pulsed lasing (SSPL).
Results:
PCL-ssLAVW yielded an acute BS of 248.0 ± 54.0 N/cm2 and remained stable up to 7d of hydration. PLGA-ssLAVW obtained higher acute BS (408.6 ± 78.8 N/cm2) but revealed structural defects and a BS of 109.4 ± 42.6 N/cm2 after 14 d of hydration. The addition of HPMC and genipin improved the 14-d BS of PLGA-sLAVW (223.9 ± 19.1 N/cm2). Thermal damage was reduced with SSPL compared with SSCL.
Conclusions:
PCL-ssLAVW yielded lower but more stable welds than PLGA-ssLAVW. The addition of HPMC and genipin to the solder increased the post-hydration BS of PLGA-ssLAVW. SSPL regimen reduced thermal damage. PLGA-ssLAVW using 48% BSA/0.5% MB/3% HPMC/0.38% genipin solder and SSPL constitutes the most optimal welding modality.
Relevance For Patients:
Surgical patients requiring vascular anastomoses may benefit from the advantages that ssLAVW potentially offers over conventional sutures (gold standard). These include no needle trauma and remnant suture materials in the patient, reduction of foreign body reaction, immediate liquid-tight sealing, and the possibility of a faster and easier procedure for minimally invasive and endoscopic anastomotic techniques.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Strength and Heat of Hydration
The heat of hydration for each cement compound is significant; for instance, tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and...
01:24Hydration of Cement
02:42Aqueous Solutions and Heats of Hydration
When ionic compounds dissolve in water, the ions in the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the solution because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, reducing the strong electrostatic forces between them. This process...
01:08Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)
03:05Acid Strength and Molecular Structure
In the absence of any leveling effect, the acid strength of binary compounds of hydrogen with nonmetals (A) increases as the H-A bond strength decreases down a group in the periodic table. For group 17, the order of increasing acidity is HF < HCl < HBr < HI. Likewise, for group 16, the order of increasing acid strength is H2O < H2S < H2Se < H2Te. Across a row in the periodic table, the acid strength of binary hydrogen compounds increases with increasing...
01:20Strength of Cement
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...