Sealant closes wounds and hinders bacterial infection
A new joining material for laser welding tissue during operations has the potential to produce stronger seals and provide an alternative to sutures and stapling in intestinal surgery, scientists report.
Their study, which involves use of a gold-based sealing material, appears in the journal ACS Nano.
Kaushal Rege and colleagues from Arizona State University explained in a statement that laser tissue welding (LTW) is a stitch-free surgical method for connecting and sealing blood vessels, cartilage in joints, the liver, the urinary tract and other tissues.
LTW involves use of laser light to heat tissue, causing changes that enable the sides of incisions to seal. Advantages of LTW over sutures or staples include shorter operation times and reduced scarring.
A drawback of LTW is that it forms weak seals that can be problematic in intestinal surgery; leaks from the intestines can cause extremely painful and life-threatening abdominal infections.
The scientists set out to develop an improved form of LTW that produces strong seals.
They describe the development and successful laboratory tests of the material, a tissue solder called a plasmonic nanocomposite that is cross linked with gold nanorods.
Register now to continue reading
Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.
Benefits of registering
-
In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends
-
Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year
-
Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox
UK not prepared for climate impacts, says CCC
Perhaps a Longtitude prize to solve railway line problems. "extreme heat causing further disruption through rail buckling and power line...