title: Biodegradable polymer scaffold, semi-solid solder, and single-spot lasing for increasing solder-tissue bonding in suture-free laser-assisted vascular repair.
abstract: We recently showed the fortifying effect of poly-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold in liquid solder-mediated laser-assisted vascular repair (ssLAVR) of porcine carotid arteries, yielding a mean ± SD leaking point pressure of 488 ± 111 mmHg. Despite supraphysiological pressures, the frequency of adhesive failures was indicative of weak bonding at the solder-tissue interface. As a result, this study aimed to improve adhesive bonding by using a semi-solid solder and single-spot vs. scanning irradiation. In the first experiment, in vitro ssLAVR (n=30) was performed on porcine abdominal aorta strips using a PCL scaffold with a liquid or semi-solid solder and a 670-nm diode laser for dual-pass scanning. In the second experiment, the scanning method was compared to single-spot lasing. The third experiment investigated the stability of the welds following hydration under quasi-physiological conditions. The welding strength was defined by acute breaking strength (BS). Solder-tissue bonding was examined by scanning electron microscopy and histological analysis was performed for thermal damage analysis. Altering solder viscosity from liquid to semi-solid solder increased the BS from 78 ± 22 N/cm(2) to 131 ± 38 N/cm(2) . Compared to scanning ssLAVR, single-spot lasing improved adhesive bonding to a BS of 257 ± 62 N/cm(2) and showed fewer structural defects at the solder-tissue interface but more pronounced thermal damage. The improvement in adhesive bonding was associated with constantly stronger welds during two weeks of hydration. Semi-solid solder and single-spot lasing increased welding strength by reducing solder leakage and improving adhesive bonding, respectively. The improvement in adhesive bonding was associated with enhanced weld stability during hydration.
authors: Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Dara R
authors: DR
authors: Pabittei
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Heger
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Simonet
authors: Sjoerd
authors: S
authors: van Tuijl
authors: Allard C
authors: AC
authors: van der Wal
authors: Johan F
authors: JF
authors: Beek
authors: Ron
authors: R
authors: Balm
authors: Bas A
authors: BA
authors: de Mol
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; C016240:polycaprolactone