Biology subjects

Cipolato, O.

Publications and source records attributed to Cipolato, O..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

An Augmented Reality Visor for Intraoperative Visualization, Guidance and Temperature Monitoring using Fluorescence

Fluorescence-guided surgical techniques, including tumor resection and tissue soldering, are advancing the frontiers of surgical precision by offering enhanced control that minimizes tissue damage and improves recovery as well as outcomes. However, integrating the visualization of the fluorescent signal and temperature monitoring seamlessly into surgical workflows has not been fully realized and remains a challenge, thus limiting their effectiveness and wide-spread clinical adoption. To address this issue, we introduce an augmented reality (AR) visor designed to unite nanomaterial excitation along with fluorescence detection, and temperature monitoring during surgical procedures. The AR visor was evaluated using advanced fluorescent nanoparticles, such as indocyanine green-doped particles and singlewalled carbon nanotubes. By consolidating fluorescence visualization, excitation monitoring, and precise temperature control into a single AR platform, we equip surgeons with a comprehensive view of both the surgical field and sub-surface conditions invisible to the naked eye. This integration notably improves the safety and efficacy of fluorescence-guided surgeries, as well as emerging technologies including laser tissue soldering, by ensuring the soldering temperature stays within therapeutic thresholds and the laser is accurately guided by real-time fluorescence signals. The presented technology not only enhances existing surgical techniques but also supports the development of new strategies and sensing technologies in areas where traditional methods fall short, marking significant progress in precision surgery, which could ultimately improve patient care.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Robotic Laser Tissue Soldering for Damage-free Soft Tissue Fusion Guided by Fluorescent Nanothermometry

Minimally invasive surgical techniques, including endoscopic and robotic procedures, continue to revolutionize patient care, for their ability to minimize surgical trauma, thus promoting faster recovery and reduced hospital stays. Yet, the suturing of soft tissues ensuring damage-free tissue bonding during these procedures remains challenging due to missing haptics and the fulcrum effect. Laser tissue soldering has potential in overcoming these issues, offering damage-free seamless tissue fusion. To ensure the precision and safety of laser tissue soldering, we introduce feedback controlled fluorescent nanothermometry-guided laser tissue soldering using nanoparticle-protein solders within endoscopic and robotic contexts. Temperature-sensitive fluorescent nanoparticles embedded in the solder provide surgeons with immediate feedback on tissue temperatures during laser application, all while within the confines of minimally invasive (robotic) surgical setups. By integrating fluorescent nanothermometry-guided laser tissue surgery into endoscopic and robotic surgery, we pave the way for a new approach for safe and atraumatic soft tissue joining, especially in regions where traditional suturing is unfeasible.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2023

Nanothermometry-enabled intelligent laser tissue soldering

While often life-saving, surgical resectioning of diseased tissues puts patients at risk for post-operative complications. Sutures and staples are well-accepted and routinely used to reconnect tissues, however, their mechanical mismatch with biological soft tissue and invasiveness contribute to wound healing complications, infections, and post-operative fluid leakage. In principle, laser tissue soldering offers an attractive, minimally-invasive alternative for seamless soft tissue fusion. However, despite encouraging experimental observations, including accelerated healing and lowered infection risk, critical issues related to temperature monitoring and control during soldering and associated complications have prevented their clinical exploitation to date. Here, we introduce intelligent laser tissue soldering (iSoldering) with integrated nanothermometry as a promising yet unexplored approach to overcoming the critical shortcomings of laser tissue soldering. We demonstrate that adding thermoplasmonic and nanothermometry nanoparticles to proteinaceous solders enables heat confinement and non-invasive temperature monitoring and control, offering a route to high-performance, leak-tight tissue sealing even at deep tissue sites. The resulting tissue seals exhibit excellent mechanical properties and resistance to chemically-aggressive digestive fluids, including gastrointestinal juice. The iSolder can be readily cut and shaped by surgeons to optimally fit the tissue defect and can even be applied using infrared light from a medically approved light source, hence fulfilling key prerequisites for application in the operating theatre. Overall, iSoldering enables reproducible and well-controlled high-performance tissue sealing, offering new prospects for its clinical exploitation in diverse fields ranging from cardiovascular to visceral and plastic surgery. TeaserIntelligent solders containing nanothermometers and thermoplasmonics offer new route to high-performance tissue sealing.

bioengineering↗