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Rapid Soft Tissue Approximation and Repair Using Laser‐Activated Silk Nanosealants
Author(s) -
Urie Russell,
Guo Chengchen,
Ghosh Deepanjan,
Thelakkaden Mitzi,
Wong Valerie,
Lee Jung Keun,
Kilbourne Jacquelyn,
Yarger Jeffery,
Rege Kaushal
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201802874
Subject(s) - fibroin , materials science , soft tissue , biomedical engineering , laser , tissue repair , biological tissue , silk , tissue engineering , surgery , composite material , medicine , optics , physics
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.