ECM‐Chitosan Bandage for Tissue Repair

Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are currently applied in reconstructive surgery to enhance wound healing and tissue remodelling. Sutures and staples are usually employed to stabilize ECM on tissue although they may damage the matrix structure. In this investigation, a novel biocompatible bandage was developed to implant ECM on tissue without sutures. An adhesive film, based on chitosan, was integrated with small intestine submucosa (SIS) in a single bandage strip. This bandage was bonded to sheep small intestine upon laser irradiation of the chitosan film (P = 0.12 W, Fluence = 46±1 J/cm2) to assess tissue adhesion strength. Thermocouples were used to estimate temperatures under SIS during laser irradiation. The bandage successfully bonded to intestine achieving a shear stress of 9.6±1.6 kPa(n = 15). During laser irradiation, the temperature increased modestly to 31±2 0C(n = 14) beneath the ECM portion of the bandage. The SIS‐chitosan bandage bonded effectively to tissue without sutures and preserved the EC...