The new technique, recently described by its designers at the American Chemical Society's Spring 2019 National Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, proposes an innovative way to easily reshape cartilage and other collagen-containing tissues—and without scarring.
يوضح الفريق البحثي – من كلية أوكسيدنتال في لوس أنجلوس، كاليفورنيا، وجامعة كاليفورنيا في إيرفين- أن الكثير من العمليات الجراحية الترميمية، في الوقت الحالي، مثل التدخلات لإعادة تشكيل الأنف أو الأذنين، قد تكون جراحات صحبة وقد تؤدي إلى تندب.
These procedures involve cutting living tissue, cartilage sculpting, skin suturing, potential post-procedure scarring, and a lengthy recovery period. However, the new technique eliminates all of these inconveniences associated with traditional cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
يقول أحد المطورين الرئيسيين للتقنية، د. مايكل هيل : “إننا نتصور هذه التقنية الجديدة كإجراء منخفض التكلفة يتم إجراؤه تحت التخدير الموضعي في العيادة”، ويضيف: “العملية كلها ستستغرق أكثر من 5 دقائق.”
New technology and its potential uses
The ear and parts of the nose contain cartilage, a type of tissue composed of loose strands of collagen fibers to which larger molecules are attached.
In addition, different types of cartilage contain negatively charged proteins and positively charged sodium ions, which are present in different densities, determining whether the cartilage is stiffer or softer.
Through various experiments, Hill and his colleagues found that if they applied a constant voltage electric current through the cartilage, the water in this tissue would identify and split into its components—oxygen and hydrogen ions, or protons.
When this happens, the positively charged protons neutralize the negatively charged proteins, making the cartilage softer and easier to remodel. As Hill explains, once the tissue becomes flexible, you can mold it into any shape you want.
To test the effectiveness of this method, the researchers decided to try it on rabbit ears. Working on a normally straight ear, they aimed to reshape it so that it remained bent. The procedure involved the team applying a local anesthetic, then using microsurgery to insert tiny electrodes into the tissue, delivering a steady electrical current for a few minutes. Once softened, the cartilage took on the shape of a three-dimensional mold.
In the rabbit model, when the researchers turned off the electrical current and removed the mold, the ear cartilage was able to harden, while maintaining the new, curved shape.
The team says this new technique does not cause the pain and scarring associated with traditional reconstructive procedures.
Although this method can be applied to cosmetic procedures, the researchers emphasize that it will also be useful for people who suffer, for example, from a deviated septum that affects their breathing, or who have to deal with immobile joints.
وResearchers also believe they could adapt this method to reshape the cornea, the outermost layer of the eye that also contains collagen. When the cornea is severely curved, it can cause nearsightedness, so finding a way to adapt this minimally invasive technique to eye surgery would make corrective corneal procedures much easier.
Currently, Hill and his colleagues are exploring licensing their innovative approach to specialized medical device companies. However, they acknowledge that before these procedures become available to humans, they must first pass safety and efficacy tests in clinical trials.
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