@article{xie99c,
  author = {H. Xie and B. S. Schaffer and S. A. Prahl and K. W. Gregory},
  title = {A Photothermal Sensitive Hydrolyzable Stent for Ureteral Sutureless Anastomosis Using Diode Laser In Vivo},
  journal = {Laser Med. Surg.},
  year = {1999 abstract only},
  volume = {S11},
  pages = {58},
  abstract = {Prior studies demonstrated that tensile strength of laser tissue soldering depends on the concentration of the solder. A photothermal sensitive hydrolyzable (PSH) stent designed for tubular tissue anastomosis using diode laser welding was used in these studies. \vskip2mm Five swine underwent bilateral segmental replacement of 3\,cm of mid-ureter using an elastin-based heterograft prepared by our biomaterial group. A PSH stent composed of solid human serum albumin containing 0.1\,mM indocyanine green (ICG) was used to support and connect the ureteral and heterograft stumps on one side of the animal. The ureter and heterograft on the other side were connected using a liquid solder (54\% albumin with 0.1\,mM ICG) for comparison. The energy was delivered through a 600 micron non-contact optical fiber. 1 watt CW and 1--2\,mm beam diameter irradiated spot on tissue was applied during welding. Retrograde urograph were performed after a hour post-operativevely. Then, the animal was sacrificed and ureters were harvested for tensile strength and histology studies. \vskip2mm Radiology study demonstrated that the PSH stents were dissolved at 1 hour post surgery. No leakage using PSH stent (10/10) and a 30\% leakage (3/10) using liquid solder was observed at the anastomosis site. The mean tensile strength of the PSH stent and liquid solder welds were 550\,g/cm$^2$ and 520\,g/cm$^2$. However the irradiation time using PSH stent (70$\pm$30\,s) was significantly shorter than the time using liquid solder (120$\pm$40\,s). Histology showed a wider and deeper thermal injury on the ureter tissues welded using liquid solder. The rest of the PSH stent bound and remained at the anastomisis site. \vskip2mm Our results show that the PSH stent plays both solder and support roles for decreased irradiation time and thermal damage and provide a convenient method in ureteral anastomosis using laser welding.},
}