Research Projects

Laser tissue welding (LTW) is a new method of tissue bonding that uses laser irradiation to denature the intrinsic collagen of tissue, allowing it to intertwine with the extracellular matrix upon cooling. LTS is an extension of this technique, filling the cut edges of tissue with a biocompatible adhesive compound, typically a protein acting as a'soldering biomaterial'. LTS offers several advantages over conventional wound closure methods, but challenges include maintaining solder degradation time, elasticity, irradiance temperature control, biodegradability rate, and real-time examination. The proposed hybrid soldering biomaterial will provide strength, flexibility, and antibacterial properties to the laser-induced seal. High-concentration albumin solder with a synthetic polymer (PEG) will be used, along with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), or curcumin. The concentration of plasmonic nanoparticles will be optimized for optimal temperature distribution. The second aim is to build an indigenous free-space laser-tissue soldering (LTS) system that allows real-time OCT guidance. The process will be monitored using swept-source optical coherence tomography, and the structural changes in the soldering biomaterials will be accompanied by changes in optical properties. The combined LTS-OCT system could be a significant innovation in clinical microsurgery.