Repairing holes in hearts or other organs, whatever the cause- be it an ulcer or a congenital defect, always proves to be a rigmarole. Surgery is required and long and highly invasive procedures that almost a guarantee. Previous non-invasive methods to patch up holes using catheters have been tried out but, they use metals and require a mechanical or a suture attachment, which overtime can erode tissue.

Harvard University researchers seem to have come up with the perfect components for an improved and fool-proof catheter system using two balloons and UV light-activated glue.

This UV light-activated glue had been developed last year, and is an adhesive coat on a strip made up of biodegradable materials which attaches to the holes- be it any organ- and stay there until the wound has had a chance to heal. After which, it simply dissolves away.
This catheter system contains a thin, hollow plastic tube (the catheter) which guides the glue patch into place inside the body through an endoscope, and once fixed the balloons come to action.

The outer balloon inflates which forces the patch to stick to the perforated region. The inner balloon also inflates and this activates the UV lights properties of the glue which causes the ultraviolet light to turn on. The catheter is now removed and the activation of the glue strip needs about two minutes.

This new technique has proved to work as well as the traditional suture technique, and is also able to withstand high pressure flow. Further, the researchers plan to use multiple fiber bundles and a cone-shaped tip to increase flexibility and access with no invasion.

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Author:Technology Blog