Preliminary evaluation of collagen as a component in the thermally induced 'weld'

G. Michael Lemole Jr.; R. Rox Anderson M.D.; Sue DeCoste M.D.

doi:10.1117/12.43947

1 June 1991 Preliminary evaluation of collagen as a component in the thermally induced 'weld'

G. Michael Lemole Jr., R. Rox Anderson M.D., Sue DeCoste M.D.

Proceedings Volume 1422, Lasers in Dermatology and Tissue Welding; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43947
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

A simple thermodynamic approach to tissue 'welding' was studied. Fresh bovine tendon (67% type I collagen) was sectioned into disk shaped pieces, pairs of which were inserted between bowed glass coverslips and wrapped in aluminum foil. The packets were heated in a waterbath according to two protocols. In group I, packets were tested for four minutes at temperatures between 55-65 degree(s)C, in 1 degree(s)C intervals. In group II, the packets were kept at 62 degree(s)C for 4 minutes while the rate of cooling was altered. The force necessary to separate the tendon disks was then measured. The optimal temperature for tissue bonding (group I) was 62 degree(s)C (598 gm/in2). Stress values below 250 gm/in2 could be achieved without heat application and were considered non-welds. Group II showed that the faster the sample cools, the stronger the bond. Several conclusions can be postulated. The narrow temperature region necessary for tissue 'welding' strongly suggests that melting of type I collagen fibrils is involved. Bonding presumably occurs at 62 degree(s)C by allowing (alpha) -strands from the collagen super-helix molecule to form new, random connections. Group II results suggest that trans-incisional reannealing of unraveled helices does not play a role in tissue bonding. Rapid cooling allows less time for extended helix reformation; same-side a-helix reannealing may inhibit effective welds by reducing sites for trans-incisional visco-elastic bonding. Although the exact nature and optimization of thermal tissue 'welds' remains unclear, the behavior of collagen appears to play a central role.

Citation Download Citation

G. Michael Lemole Jr., R. Rox Anderson M.D., and Sue DeCoste M.D. "Preliminary evaluation of collagen as a component in the thermally induced 'weld'", Proc. SPIE 1422, Lasers in Dermatology and Tissue Welding, (1 June 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43947

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