Single-sided and small-scaled grasping of delicate tissues: effectiveness of indirect heat-induced attachment and detachment.
BACKGROUND
Indirect heat-induced attachment and detachment (iHIAD) is a promising concept for gripping delicate tissues in microsurgery. However, the optimal settings of iHIAD are unknown. This study evaluates the effects of the instrument heating properties and initial contact force on the adhesion force, detachment success and thermal damage.


METHODS
An instrument prototype was developed to test attachment and detachment for different combinations of generated energy (3.5-20.0 mJ) and pulse length (0.25-2.50 ms). The tissues tested on were kidney and eye from the pig. Thermal tissue damage was estimated with a histological analysis.


RESULTS
The adhesion force F(a) depended strongly on the amount of generated energy (F(a) = 0.03-2.5 mN) and contact force (F(a) = 0.25-1.0 mN). Pulse length played a minor role. Detachment success (0-100%) was determined by generated energy (3-16 mJ). Histological analysis showed minimal damage.


CONCLUSIONS
Adhesion forces increased with increasing contact forces. iHIAD proved sensitive to heating characteristics. Detachment success increased with generated energy. Thermal damage was minimal. iHIAD creates a potential to build better performing tissue manipulators.
Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
Arnoud A
AA
Tukker
Arjan J
AJ
Knulst
Kristel J M
KJ
Maaijwee
Sander
S
Schutte
Elsbeth J T
EJ
Van Zeeburg
Jan C
JC
Van Meurs
Jenny
J
Dankelman
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine