Heat induced attachment and detachment of delicate tissues

Towards a new micro tissue gripper

Master thesis (2010)

Authors

Contributors

J. Dankelman (mentor)
J.C. Van Meurs (mentor)
Programme
BioMedical Engineering: Medical Instruments & Medical Safety (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2010 Tukker, A.A.
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Published Date

24-03-2010

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Programme

BioMedical Engineering: Medical Instruments & Medical Safety

Abstract

Indirect Heat Induced Attachment and Detachment (HIAD) is a promising concept for gripping delicate tissues in ophthalmic surgery. However, the optimal settings of attaching to and detaching from delicate tissues are unknown. This study presents the effects of the instrument heating properties and initial contact force on the adhesion force, detachment success and thermal damage. An instrument prototype was developed to test attachment and detachment for different combinations of generated heat (3.5-20.0mJ) and pulse length (0.25-2.50ms). Thermal tissue damage was estimated with electro-thermal FEM simulations and histological analysis. The adhesion force depended strongly on the amount of generated heat and contact force. Pulse length played a minor role. Detachment success was determined by the maximum instrument temperature. Thermal tissue damage was strongly related to the amount of generated heat, the effect of pulse length was marginal. In RPE-choroid graft analysis, the RPE cells were not affected by heat. HIAD proved sensitive to heating characteristics and tissue properties. Nevertheless, this principle creates potential to build better performing tissue manipulators.