Joining and/or sealing tissues through photo-activated cross-linking of matrix proteins
A method of joining and/or sealing tissues in a surgical procedure or medical treatment, comprising the steps of: (1) applying a matrix protein, a photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and an electron acceptor to a tissue portion; (2) irradiating said tissue portion to photoactivate the photoactivatable metal-ligand complex; thereby initiating a cross-linking reaction of the matrix protein to seal said tissue portion or join said tissue portion to an adjacent tissue portion.
1. A method of joining and/or sealing tissues in a surgical procedure or medical treatment, comprising the steps of:
(1) applying a matrix protein, a photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and an electron acceptor to a tissue portion;
(2) irradiating said tissue portion to photoactivate the photoactivatable metal-ligand complex;
thereby initiating a cross-linking reaction of the matrix protein to seal said tissue portion or join said tissue portion to an adjacent tissue portion.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the matrix protein is selected from the group consisting of fibrinogen, fibrin, collagen, fibronectin, keratin and laminin, or admixtures thereof.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the matrix protein is selected from the group consisting of fibrinogen, fibrin, collagen and fibronectin, or admixtures thereof.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the matrix protein is fibrinogen.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the photoactivatable metal-ligand is an Ru(II), Pd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Mn(II) or Fe(III) complex.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the complex is an Ru(II) bipyridyl complex, a Pd(II) porphyrin complex, a sulfonatophenyl Mn(II) complex or a Fe(III) protoporphyrin complex.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the complex is a tris (bipyridyl) Ru(II) complex.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the complex is tris (bipyridyl) Ru(II) dichloride.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electron acceptor is a persulfate, periodate, perbromate or a perchlorate compound.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the electron acceptor is a persulfate compound.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the electron acceptor is ammonium persulfate or sodium persulfate.
12. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a blood vessel is sealed to prevent blood loss.
13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cut surface of an organ is sealed.
14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tissue portion and an adjacent tissue portion are joined to close an incision or wound.
15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the matrix protein, photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and electron acceptor are applied directly to said tissue portion.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein a composition comprising the matrix protein, photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and electron acceptor is applied.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the composition further comprises an inert carrier.
18. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more of the matrix protein, photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and electron acceptor are carried by a substrate.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the substrate is a collagen sheet.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the substrate is a bandage, gauze, cloth, tampon, membrane or sponge.