Will Traditional Sutures Soon be a Thing of the Past?
Researchers at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine in Boston, Massachusetts have developed a novel technique to replace sutures when closing wounds. The process harnesses laser light to "knit" layers of collagen together, thereby sealing together two edges of a wound--all without a needle and a thread.
The idea of laser bonded tissue is not new. Researchers have been trying to harness laser light to close wounds for years. The problem with these early trials has been that the reaction between lasers and tissue has a delicate balance. Too little heat and the wound would not heal. Too much heat and the tissue was damaged.
This new process has taken a different approach, using light, rather than heat or thermal energy, so there is no risk of tissue damage. Specifically, doctors paint a special light-activated dye called Rose Bengal along the edges of a wound they want to close. They then use a laser or light source to illuminate the area and help transfer electrons between the dye molecules and the collagen, causing the molecular chains of the collagen to chemically bond or link together nearly instantaneously.
The process, called nano-suturing, is a significant development for several reasons. Not only is it faster than sewing together a wound with sutures, there is likely to be less scarring and there may be a lower risk of wound infection. This is because it seals the opening completely such that external bacterial sources cannot penetrate. It also eliminates any irritation associated with having traditional sutures in place. Nano-suturing is expected to be used for skin closures, eye surgeries, and tendon, blood vessel and nerve repairs. The only problem is that the cost of the photochemical dye and laser equipment will make it much more expensive than traditional sutures. Only time will tell if the benefits will offset the cost.