Abstract
We recently showed the fortifying effect of poly-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold in liquid solder-mediated laser-assisted vascular repair (ssLAVR) of porcine carotid arteries, yielding a mean¿±¿SD leaking point pressure of 488¿±¿111¿mmHg. Despite supraphysiological pressures, the frequency of adhesive failures was indicative of weak bonding at the solder-tissue interface. As a result, this study aimed to improve adhesive bonding by using a semi-solid solder and single-spot vs. scanning irradiation. In the first experiment, in vitro ssLAVR (n¿=¿30) was performed on porcine abdominal aorta strips using a PCL scaffold with a liquid or semi-solid solder and a 670-nm diode laser for dual-pass scanning. In the second experiment, the scanning method was compared to single-spot lasing. The third experiment investigated the stability of the welds following hydration under quasi-physiological conditions. The welding strength was defined by acute breaking strength (BS). Solder-tissue bonding was examined by scanning electron microscopy and histological analysis was performed for thermal damage analysis. Altering solder viscosity from liquid to semi-solid solder increased the BS from 78¿±¿22¿N/cm2 to 131¿±¿38¿N/cm2. Compared to scanning ssLAVR, single-spot lasing improved adhesive bonding to a BS of 257¿±¿62¿N/cm2 and showed fewer structural defects at the solder-tissue interface but more pronounced thermal damage. The improvement in adhesive bonding was associated with constantly stronger welds during two weeks of hydration. Semi-solid solder and single-spot lasing increased welding strength by reducing solder leakage and improving adhesive bonding, respectively. The improvement in adhesive bonding was associated with enhanced weld stability during hydration.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 803-812 |
Journal | Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |