Light-Activated Sealants (LASe) for Gastrointestinal Defect Repair

Student: Victoria Tai

Mentors: Dr. Kaushal Rege – SEMTE
Dr. Jessica Weaver – SBHSE
Dr. Brent Vernon – SBHSE

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/89333954287

Zoom meeting time: 10am - noon

Abstract

Major complications in gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries are postoperative leakages and surgical site infections that may lead to systemic inflammation or anastomoses failures. Existing clinical methods such as stitches and staples are still common ways to close wounds in GI surgeries and can lead to the aforementioned issues, particularly when preventing the leakage of body fluids. Other methods such as surgical adhesives fail to instantaneously adhere to wet tissues, attach to surrounding tissues in the abdomen, and / or lack mechanical strength. Laser-activated tissue sealing is a rapid photothermal mediated tissue sealing approach. In this approach, a photo-responsive sealant material consisting of a chromophore, Indocyanine green dye (ICG) selectively absorbs and converts near-infrared (NIR) laser light to heat which aids in tissue-sealant interdigitation at the defect site leading to a robust seal. The film needs to conform to wet tissue while simultaneously preventing other abdominal tissues from postoperatively adhering. In this project, a Light-Activated Sealant (LASe), comprised of modified chitosan with increased adhesiveness to tissue, ICG dye, which is activated by laser, and an anti-adhesive coating, was developed. Ex vivo studies were carried out to determine the efficacy of these new LASes for adhesion to incised intestinal tissue, in order to create a strong, biocompatible seal over time for improved tissue repair and healing.