D. I. Ryabkin

The tensile strength characteristics study of the laser welds of biological tissue using the nanocomposite solder

Laser welding device for biological tissue has been developed. The main device parts are the radiation system and adaptive thermal stabilization system of welding area. Adaptive thermal stabilization system provided the relation between the laser radiation intensity and the weld temperature. Using atomic force microscopy the structure of composite which is formed by the radiation of laser solder based on aqua- albuminous dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes was investigated. AFM topograms nanocomposite solder are mainly defined by the presence of pores in the samples. In generally, the surface structure of composite is influenced by the time, laser radiation power and MWCNT concentration. Average size of backbone nanoelements not exceeded 500 nm. Bulk density of nanoelements was in the range 106-108 sm-3. The data of welding temperature maintained during the laser welding process and the corresponding tensile strength values were obtained. Maximum tensile strength of the suture was reached in the range 50-55°C. This temperature and the pointwise laser welding technology (point area ~ 2.5mm) allows avoiding thermal necrosis of healthy section of biological tissue and provided reliable bonding construction of weld join. In despite of the fact that tensile strength values of the samples are in the range of 15% in comparison with unbroken strips of pigskin leather. This situation corresponds to the initial stage of the dissected tissue connection with a view to further increasing of the joint strength of tissues with the recovery of tissue structure; thereby achieved ratio is enough for a medical practice in certain cases.

Structure and Biochemical Study of Nanocomposite Bioconstruction for Restoration of Bone-cartilaginous Defects

Porous and strong nanocomposite bioconstructions were formed by laser evaporation of an aqueous dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a protein matrix. The homogeneous dispersion was exposed to laser irradiation to create solid constructions. Continuous laser radiation with a wavelength of 970 nm and a power of 5-7 W was used. The porosity of nanocomposite bioconstructions was studied by the method of lowtemperature nitrogen porosimetry and X-ray microtomography, the tensile strength and relative elongation of bioconstructions were evaluated, and their biocompatibility was tested in vitro. It was found that with an increase of the carbon nanotube’s concentration, a slight decrease in strength (3-15 %), a decrease in the pore size (20- 40 %), and an increase in the degree of deformation (10-12 %) were observed. At the same time, the mechanical parameters of the bioconstructions met the requirements for the materials for the restoration of bone-cartilaginous defects. Using optical microscopy and the MTT-test, proliferative activity and structural features of bone tissue cells on the surface of nanocomposite bioconstructions were evaluated. Studies have shown no toxic or inhibitory effect on cells. The results of the studies can talk about the advantage of nanocomposite bioconstructions using as an implant material for improving the growth of biological cells and regenerating damaged biotissues. Keywords: Nanocomposites, laser radiation, mechanical properties, porosity, X-ray microtomography, biocompatibility

Laser nanocomposites based on proteins and carbon nanotubes for restoration of biological tissues

The study of structural properties of nanocomposites, based on different types of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and proteins (albumin, collagen), was carried out. The binding of protein molecules to the carbon component was described by Raman spectroscopy. Complex analysis of the structure and microporosity of nanocomposites was performed by the X-ray microtomography. The nanoporosity study was carried out using the low-temperature nitrogen porosimetry method. Samples based on SWCNTs with smaller size had the most homogeneity. With an increase in the concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 %, the mean micropore size increased from 45 to 93 μm, porosity in general increased from 16 to 28 %. The percentage of open pores was the same for all samples and was 0.02. As it was shown by Raman spectroscopy the protein component in nanocomposites has undergone irreversible denaturation and can act as a biocompatible binder and serve as a source of amino acids for biological tissues. These nanocomposites are bioresorbable and can be used to repair cartilage and bone tissue. This is especially important in the treatment of diseases of hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone.

The laser welding of the nanocomposites with biotissues of the cardiovascular system

A reliable connection of dissected biological tissues is a popular problem in modern surgery. In the last decade, two methods of biological tissues connection using laser radiation have been actively developed: laser-assisted vascular repair (LAVR) and anastomosis (LAVA). These methods make it possible to obtain a weld impenetrable for blood and other biological fluids immediately after the welding. A solder is applied to a welding area. The main characteristic of the weld at LAVA is the tensile strength. A weld should be flexible enough to withstand repeated cycles of alternation of diastolic and systolic pressures. Single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs respectively) are used to increase the weld tensile strength. They form a spatial bovine serum albumin (BSA)- nanocarbon scaffold under an action of laser radiation. It in real time varies the power of laser radiation (in the range 0.2- 5 W), which is necessary to stabilize the welding temperature (~57 ºC). In the present work new compositions of laser solder are proposed and the scheme of the installation for LAVR are offered. The proposed solder is based on an aqueous dispersion of BSA, MWCNTs and SWCNTs, ICG and collagen. The using of the chromophore ICG is due to its absorption maximum corresponding to the wavelength of the diode laser used (~ 810 nm). The tensile strength was 0.8±0.3 MPa.

The technology of laser fabrication of cell 3D scaffolds based on proteins and carbon nanoparticles

The technology of cell 3D scaffolds laser fabrication is developed. 3D scaffolds are designed to repair osteochondral defects, which are poorly restored during the organism’s life. The technology involves the use of an installation, the laser beam of which moves along a liquid nanomaterial and evaporates it layer by layer. Liquid nanomaterial consists of the water-protein (collagen, albumin) suspension with carbon nanoparticles (single-walled carbon nanotubes). During laser irradiation, the temperature in the region of nanotubes defects increases and nanotubes are combined into the scaffold. The main component of installation is a continuous laser operating at wavelengh of 810 nm. The laser beam moves along 3 coordinates, which makes it possible to obtain samples of the required geometric shape. The internal and surface structure of the samples at the micro- and nanoscale levels were studied using the X-ray microtomography and scanning electron microscopy. In vitro studies of cell growth during 48 and 72 hours demonstrated the ability of cell 3D scaffolds to support the proliferation of osteoblasts and chondroblasts. Using fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, it was found that the growth and development of cells on a sample with a larger concentration of nanotubes occurred faster compared to samples with a smaller concentration of nanotubes.

Laser nanosolder characteristics effect on tensile strength and structure of biotissue seam weld

This work is concerned with studying the technique of dissected tissue laser welding using specific facility and nanosolder. The technique perfomance was studied on the hog stomach mucous membrane samples. Laser solder compositions that allow maximal durability of the tissue welding seam were revealed and its 3D structure was studied using x-ray microtomography. Biocompatibility of the laser nanosolder was proved.