A Single-Blind Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticle Photothermal-Assisted Liposuction in an Ex Vivo Human Tissue Model.

Background: Liposuction is one of the most performed cosmetic surgery procedures. In a previously reported study, gold-nanoparticle (GNP) laser-assisted liposuction (NanoLipo) was shown to improve procedure parameters and outcomes in a porcine model.

Objectives: An ex vivo human liposuction model was developed to assess the ease, efficacy, and outcomes of NanoLipo, and to further explore its mechanism of action in facilitating liposuction.

Review of the progress toward achieving heat confinement-the holy grail of photothermal therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) involves the application of normally benign light wavelengths in combination with efficient photothermal (PT) agents that convert the absorbed light to heat to ablate selected cancers. The major challenge in PTT is the ability to confine heating and thus direct cellular death to precisely where PT agents are located. The dominant strategy in the field has been to create large libraries of PT agents with increased absorption capabilities and to enhance their delivery and accumulation to achieve sufficiently high concentrations in the tissue targets of interest.

Alloplasts and biointegration.

During the past 2000 years, medical science has embraced the use of alloplastic materials to improve and replace many bodily functions. During the past 50 years, there has been a virtual explosion of alloplastic implant and device technologies. Alloplasts have been borrowed from industry with few if any modifications.

Surface texturing and coating of biomaterial implants: effects on tissue integration and fibrosis.

To determine whether texturing and coating have additive effects in promoting tissue integration and inhibiting fibrosis, we evaluated smooth silicone rubber (SSR), textured silicone rubber (TSR), porous silicone rubber (PSR), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and porous polyurethane (PPU) subcutaneous implants in eight minipigs. Some of the implants were coated with type IV collagen (Col) and/or fibronectin (Fn). At 6 months, we removed the implants and examined them microscopically.

A new porous surface modification technology for peritoneal dialysis catheters as an exit-site cuff to reduce exit-site infections.

Catheter exit-site infection continues to be a more common morbid event in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Previous attempts to place a biointegration material at the next site have failed to reduce infection rates. This study reports the use of an innovative microporous silicone material placed as a cuff around the catheter at the exit site.

Quantitative bacterial analysis of porous, fabric, and smooth non-blood contacting implant surfaces and their tissue interfaces in a 169 day pneumatic total artificial heart animal recipient.

All long-term total artificial heart (TAH) survivals are subject to sepsis. Survival can be prolonged, but the source of the infection cannot be eliminated with any known course of antibiotics or treatment regimen. Sambo, a U-100 pTAH calf, survived 169 days.