title: Progress towards seamless tissue fusion for wound closure.
abstract: Tissue fusion shows great promise in creating the ideal wound closure;however devices and materials are still at an early stage of development.Energy-based closure methods, such as laser tissue welding, have proven that a thermal-mediated tissue fusion can result in a closure that is physiologically and mechanically seamless, and has sufficient tensile strength.However, the techniques are not easily reproducible and are not cost effective, and therefore they are not gaining wide acceptance. Nevertheless,the work of the scientists who have been exploring tissue welding has laid the foundation for more rapid development of new systems that can deliver energy more efficiently and with greater control. Some additional energy-based systems are available or are being developed that show great promise;however, clinical efficacy has yet to be demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Biosystems, 2207 Jackson Street, Golden, CO 80401, USA. stflock@biofusionary.com
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Flock
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Marchitto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D010777:Photochemistry; D012756:Sheep; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014014:Tissue Adhesives