laser welding of skin

Date 11-26-2008 16:35

A new technique to "laser weld" an incision closed. Without the use of staple, stitches, or sutures.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1226404836338&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

By OBEWAN

Date 11-26-2008 16:58

I am not sure how new it is. I run into laser welding of skin all the time when I Google co2 laser welding in my research searches. It always makes me laugh when I have to sort that out.

By rlitman (***)

Date 11-26-2008 18:48

Hummm. Well, lasers have been used to "spot weld" detached retinas for some time.

This seems to be a little different. Each side of the wound is buttered with a bio-compatible heat-activated glue (I guess that it is very similar to hide glue . . . ), and the laser is used to melt the glued sides together.

Without melting the tissue under the glue, wouldn't this be more of a "laser soldering" process?

:)

By hogan

Date 11-26-2008 19:17

It didn't exactly seem like welding as I think of it. But it is nice to see they are performing it successfully now.

By sbcmweb (****)

Date 11-26-2008 21:32

That's gross!

I LOVE IT!! :-)

S.W.