Swiss researchers develop method for soldering wounds
Published: Tuesday, Jan 16th 2024, 10:00
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Soldering wounds instead of stitching: a soldering process developed in Switzerland allows tissue to be fused together. According to the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), this should prevent life-threatening complications from leaking sutures.
The research team from Empa and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) has applied for a patent for the process, as Empa announced on Tuesday.
In principle, soldering wounds using the new method works in the same way as soldering two metals together. A so-called solder is required, which melts at a low temperature and can be used to bond the two parts together. For metals, a metal mixture with copper is usually used as the solder.
Special nanoparticles
The researchers have developed a protein gelatine paste that serves as a solder for soldering fabrics together. This paste contains two types of nanoparticles. Firstly, so-called titanium nitride nanoparticles, which convert light into heat. When the paste is irradiated with a laser, it heats up. Secondly, the paste contains so-called bismuth vanadate particles, which serve as a kind of thermometer. According to Empa, they emit light of a certain wavelength depending on the temperature and thus enable very precise temperature control in real time.
In laboratory tests with various tissue samples, the researchers achieved a rapid, stable connection of wounds, as they demonstrated in a study published in the journal "Small Methods". For example, on organs such as the pancreas or liver. According to the study, the sealing of pieces of tissue such as the urethra, fallopian tube or intestine was equally successful.
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