David John Mandley

Methylene blue based protein solder for vascular anastomoses: an in vitro burst pressure study.

Attempts at sutureless anastomoses have used protein‐based solders containing chromophores [Oz et al., J Vasc Surg 1990;11:718; Poppas et al., J Urol 1998150:1052] to enhance the strength of laser anastomoses. Reports have described the use of indocyanine green [Oz et al., Surg Forum 1989;316.], fuschin, and fluorescein isothiocyanate as chromophores [Chuck et al., Lasers Surg Med 1989;9:471; Vance et al., Lasers Med Sci 1988;3:219]. Methylene blue (MB) is a chromophore with absorption peaks in the 600–700 nm region whose use has not been reported in laser‐assisted vascular anastomoses. Therefore, we set out to produce and characterise a MB‐containing protein solder. The absorption and burst pressure characteristics have been investigated and described as well as a brief review of the chemical and biological properties of MB.

Photon activated biological adhesives in surgery

Abstract There are a wide variety of adhesives available for use in surgery, ranging from cyanoacrylates for skin closure to fibrin-based mixtures for use as lung sealants. The development of light-activated tissue adhesives, commonly known as solders have been undermined by the uncertainty surrounding the end-point for irradiation. A number of methods have been used to define the correct exposure period, from back scatter of light from the tissue/adhesive interface through to thermal feedback systems. However these approaches have not been widely realised in a clinical environment. This paper describes the development of a photochemical approach to light-activated tissue adhesives providing a bifunctional protection that has been shown to generate rapid and strong tissue bonding whilst eliminating the risk of over exposure to damaging radiation using a molecular switch, which protects the underlying tissue from thermal damage.