Rapid Soft Tissue Approximation and Repair Using Laser‐Activated Silk Nanosealants

Abstract

Tissue approximation and repair are conventionally performed with sutures and staples, but these means are inherently traumatic. Tissue approximation using laser‐responsive nanomaterials can lead to rapid tissue sealing and repair, and is an attractive alternative to existing clinical methods. Here, the use of laser‐activated nanosealants (LANS) with gold nanorods (GNRs) embedded in silk fibroin polypeptide matrices is demonstrated. The adaptability of LANS for sealing soft tissues is demonstrated using two different modalities: insoluble thin films for internal, intestinal tissue repair, and semisoluble pastes for external repair, shown by skin repair in live mice. Laser repaired intestinal tissue held over seven times more fluid pressure than sutured intestine and also prevented bacterial leakage. Skin incisions in mice closed using LANS' showed indication of increased mechanical strength and faster repair compared to suturing. Laser‐activated silk‐GNR nanosealants rapidly seal soft‐tissue tears and show high promise for tissue approximation and repair in trauma and routine surgery.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Sep 05, 2018
Source ID
10.1002/adfm.201802874

Entities

People

  • Chengchen Guo
  • Deepanjan Ghosh
  • Jacquelyn Kilbourne
  • Jeffery L Yarger
  • Jung Keun Lee
  • Kaushal Rege
  • Mitzi Thelakkaden
  • Russell Urie
  • Valerie Wong

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Arizona State University
  • Midwestern University
  • National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy