Laser assisted soldering: Microdroplet accumulation with a microjet device

Background and Objective We investigated the feasibility of a microjet to dispense protein solder for laser assisted soldering. Study Design Successive micro solder droplets were deposited on rat dermis and bovine intima specimens. Fixed laser exposure was synchronized with the jetting of each droplet. After photocoagulation, each specimen was cut into two halves at the center of solder coagulum. One half was fixed immediately, while the other half was soaked in phosphate‐buffered saline for a designated hydration period before fixation (1 hour, 1, 2, and 7 days). After each hydration period, all tissue specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results Stable solder coagulum was created by successive photocoagulation of microdroplets even after the soldered tissue exposed to 1 week of hydration. Conclusions This preliminary study suggested that tissue soldering with successive microdroplets is feasible even with fixed laser parameters without active feedback control. Lasers Surg. Med. 23:213–220, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.