Photochemical tissue bonding for military medical applications

Tissue repair is an essential component of surgical procedures as well as treatment of traumatic injury. There are a variety of techniques and technologies that are used clinically with varying degrees of efficacy. Due to complications of current techniques, there is interest in development of less invasive surgical repair. Photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) combines photoactive dyes with visible light to create fluid-tight seals between tissue surfaces, by creating covalent bonds when the dye absorbs energy from the light source. PTB is being researched and is emerging as an alternative to surgical tissue repair. Positive results in nerves and blood vessels make PTB reasonable for military and civilian microsurgical procedures. However, further research and development is needed for both the light and the dye. To address this need, Luna Innovations with the Wellman Center for Photomedicine will further the development of the dye and the light delivery. Luna will look to identify red absorbing chromophores and derivatize to enhance tissue adhesion. Additionally, Luna will design a light delivery device to deliver 360° isotropic dosimetry for circumferential tissues. The combination of the proposed enhanced dye and light delivery device will help position PTB for both military and civilian medical use.