Tissue repairs using a biodegradeable laser-activated solid protein solder

Summary form only given.Laser repairs to tissues have traditionally suffered from the problems of insufficient strength of the repairs, particularly for high-pressure fluid-carrying tubes such as arteries, and thermal damage to surrounding tissues hindering tissue recovery. The protein solder helps to strengthen the join by adding material to the tissue junction. In addition, the protein solder protects underlying tissue from damage due to excess laser-induced heat deposited in the tissue. The authors' protein solder consists of a high concentration solution of bovine serum albumin, mixed with indocyanine green dye to enhance the solder's absorption of the 800-nm diode laser light used to activate the solder. The solder is formed into hollow tubes and pre-heat treated to enhance its stability and strength during and immediately after surgery. The fold-and-bond surgical technique the authors have used to repair blood vessels with the protein solder is based on a technique reported early this century.