Postoperative leakage and subsequent infection are common occurrences in surgeries requiring sutures or staples. Plasmonic nanocomposites composed of a polymer matrix and gold nanorods create a fluid-tight seal for ruptured <i>ex vivo</i> porcine intestine. Near-infrared (NIR) laser tissue welding of nanocomposites based on elastin-like polypeptide, collagen, fibrin, and their blends enhance the tensile strength and leakage pressure of ruptured porcine intestinal tissue when irradiated with NIR light. In addition, the spatiotemporal temperature distribution as a result of laser exposure of these nanocomposites is experimentally measured and theoretically evaluated for parameter optimization and thermal damage minimization. Finally, these scaffolds hold potential for other varied uses due to controlled small molecule release and their ability to be electrospun.

Photothermal response of protein-gold nanorod plasmonic solders for laser tissue welding

249th National Meeting (2015)

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