Laser tissue soldering is an innovative method that enables the connection of tissues and the closure of defects without the use of a classic surgical suture. After application, the collagen solder paste is activated by a laser to create a mechanically strong connection. The principle of the method was developed earlier, however, the impossibility of effectively preventing thermal tissue damage when using a laser hindered its application in practice. In the presented work, this problem is solved by a system of nano-thermometric dynamic regulation of radiation. The presented both In vitro and preliminary in vivo results on a non-surviving animal testify to the promise of the method, where thermal tissue damage was practically eliminated.

This alternative method to the classic suture is a way to close defects that are technically difficult to treat, especially due to access in the case of endoscopic and mini-invasive procedures, we assume implementation in endoscopic instrumentation. Preliminary results also show the extraordinary tightness and strenght of those connections, which is an important aspect especially for mechanically stressed tissues and for the closure of luminal structures with the risk of developing a leak.

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Image 1: Schematic illustration, On the left, standard surgical suture; on the right, laser soldering

Image 2: From top left, a surgeon performing a laser anastomosis on the small intestine; schematic illustration of anastomosis; laser application to the anastomosis; small intestine with one approximating suture; completed anastomosis side view; completed anastomosis top view; HE-stained histological section of the anastomosis, sample taken immediately after the procedure; histological section stained with HE, sample taken 2 hours after the procedure