Dr. Karen M. McNally-Heintzelman Profile

Dr. Karen M. McNally-Heintzelman

Innovation Fellow at Advent Surgical Innovations

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (24)

Proceedings Article | 13 July 2004 Paper

Composites containing albumin protein or cyanoacrylate adhesives and biodegradable scaffolds: I. Acute wound closure study in a rat model

Grant Hoffman, Eric Soller, Douglas Heintzelman, Mark Duffy, Jeffrey Bloom, Travis Gilmour, Krista Gonnerman, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 5312, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.531991

KEYWORDS: Adhesives, Tissues, Proteins, Natural surfaces, Skin, Composites, Polymers, Semiconductor lasers, Indocyanine green, Laser welding

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Proceedings Article | 13 July 2004 Paper

A scaffold-enhanced light-activated surgical adhesive technique: surface selection for enhanced tensile strength in wound repair

Eric Soller, Grant Hoffman, Douglas Heintzelman, Mark Duffy, Jeffrey Bloom, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 5312, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.532000

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Natural surfaces, Adhesives, Proteins, Scanning electron microscopy, Polymers, Intestine, Adsorption, Liver, Spleen

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Proceedings Article | 13 July 2004 Paper

Composites containing albumin protein or cyanoacrylate adhesives and biodegradable scaffolds: II. In vivo wound closure study in a rat model

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Douglas Heintzelman, Mark Duffy, Jeffrey Bloom, Eric Soller, Travis Gilmour, Grant Hoffman, Deepak Edward

Proceedings Volume 5312, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.531997

KEYWORDS: Adhesives, Tissues, Wound healing, Proteins, Skin, Composites, Polymers, In vivo imaging, Semiconductor lasers, Laser welding

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Our Scaffold-Enhanced Biological Adhesive (SEBA) system was investigated as an alternative to sutures or adhesives alone for repair of wounds. Two scaffold materials were investigated: (i) a synthetic biodegradable material fabricated from poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid); and (ii) a biologic material, small intestinal submucosa, manufactured by Cook BioTech. Two adhesive materials were also investigated: (i) a biologic adhesive composed of 50%(w/v) bovine serum albumin solder and 0.5mg/ml indocyanine green dye mixed in deionized water, and activated with an 808-nm diode laser; and (ii) Ethicon’s Dermabond, a 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate. The tensile strength and time-to-failure of skin incisions repaired in vivo in a rat model were measured at seven days postoperative. Incisions closed by protein solder alone, by Dermabond alone, or by suture, were also tested for comparison. The tensile strength of repairs formed using the SEBA system were 50% to 65% stronger than repairs formed by suture or either adhesive alone, with significantly less variations within each experimental group (average standard deviations of 15% for SEBA versus 38% for suture and 28% for adhesive alone). In addition, the time-to-failure curves showed a longevity not previously seen with the suture or adhesive alone techniques. The SEBA system acts to keep the dermis in tight apposition during the critical early phase of wound healing when tissue gaps are bridged by scar and granulation tissue. It has the property of being more flexible than either of the adhesives alone and may allow the apposed edges to move in conjunction with each other as a unit for a longer period of time and over a greater range of stresses than adhesives alone. This permits more rapid healing and establishment of integrity since the microgaps between the dermis edges are significantly reduced. By the time the scaffolds are sloughed from the wound site, there is greater strength and healing than that produced by adhesive alone or by wounds following suture removal. This hypothesis is supported by the data of this study, as well as, the acute tensile strength data of Part I of this study.

Proceedings Article | 12 September 2003 Paper

Use of an infrared temperature monitoring system to determine optimal temperature for arterial repair using light-activated surgical adhesive

Eric Soller, Grant Hoffman, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4949, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.476388

KEYWORDS: Interfaces, Laser welding, Laser tissue interaction, Tissues, Proteins, Infrared imaging, Natural surfaces, Polymers, Infrared radiation, Chromophores

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2003 Paper

Alternative chromophores for use in light-activated surgical adhesives: optimization of parameters for tensile strength and thermal damage profile

Grant Hoffman, Brian Byrd, Eric Soller, Douglas Heintzelman, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4949, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.476389

KEYWORDS: Chromophores, Interfaces, Laser tissue interaction, Laser welding, Proteins, Absorption, Semiconductor lasers, Polymers, Tissues, Adhesives

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2003 Paper

Alternative chromophores for use in light-activated surgical adhesives

Brian Byrd, Douglas Heintzelman, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4949, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.476395

KEYWORDS: Chromophores, Absorption, Proteins, Absorbance, Spectrophotometry, Thermal effects, Semiconductor lasers, Adhesives, Laser welding, Laser systems engineering

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2003 Paper

Comparison of scaffold-enhanced albumin and n-butyl-cyanoacrylate adhesives for joining of tissue in a porcine model

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Jill Riley, Douglas Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4949, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.500109

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Adhesives, Arteries, Polymers, Proteins, Liver, Intestine, Spleen, Tissue optics, Skin

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An ex vivo study was conducted to compare the tensile strength of tissue samples repaired using three different techniques: (i) application of a scaffold-enhanced light-activated albumin protein solder, (ii) application of a scaffold-enhanced n-butyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive, and (iii) repair via conventional suture technique. Biodegradable polymer scaffolds of controlled porosity were fabricated with poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) and salt particles using a solvent-casting and particulate-leaching technique. Group I porous scaffolds were doped with protein solder composed of 50%(w/v) bovine serum albumin solder and 0.5mg/ml indocyanine green dye mixed in deionized water, and activated with an 808-nm diode laser. Group II scaffolds were doped with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate, and required no light-activation. No stay sutures were required for Group I or II experiments. Group III repairs were performed using a single 4-0 suture. Thirteen organs were tested ranging from skin to liver to the small intestine, as well as the coronary, pulmonary, carotid, femoral and splenic arteries. Acute breaking strengths were measured and the data were analyzed by Student’s T-test. Using the protein solder of Group I, repairs formed on the ureter were most successful followed by small intestine, sciatic nerve, spleen, atrium, kidney, muscle, skin and ventricle. The strongest vascular repairs were achieved in the carotid artery and femoral artery. Overall, the tensile strength of Group III repairs performed via suture techniques were equivalent in magnitude to that of Group I repairs, however, a larger variance was observed in the suture repair group. Group II repairs utilizing the cyanoacrylate-doped scaffold all performed extremely well. Bonds formed using the Group II adhesive were approximately 30% stronger than Group I and III organ repairs and approximately 20% stronger than Group I and III vascular repairs. Application of the polymer scaffold assists in tissue alignment and reduces problems associated with adhesive runaway from the repair site. Scaffold-enhanced adhesives could possibly be used as a simple and effective method to join tissue together quickly and effectively in an emergency situation, or as a substitute to mechanical sutures or staples in many clinical applications.

Proceedings Article | 17 June 2002 Paper

Investigation of various synthetic polymer scaffolds for enhanced mechanical strength during laser tissue soldering

Grant Hoffman, Eric Soller, Jill Riley, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4609, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.432092

KEYWORDS: Polymers, Proteins, Tissues, Laser tissue interaction, Laser welding, Particles, Laser applications, Adhesives, Indocyanine green, Semiconductor lasers

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Proceedings Article | 17 June 2002 Paper

Solubility studies of albumin protein solders

Travis Gilmour, Jill Riley, David Moser, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4609, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.432086

KEYWORDS: Proteins, Solids, Polymers, Tissues, Laser welding, Laser tissue interaction, Liquids, Laser irradiation, Semiconductor lasers, Adhesives

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Traditional protein solders composed of serum albumin, an optional absorption chromophore, and water, are soluble in physiological fluids before laser irradiation. This can be problematic for application of the solder to the tissue, as some of the material tends to run away before it is bonded to the tissue. In addition, as the solder is subjected to blood dilution during application, the mechanical properties are altered and consequently, the strength of the repair is compromised. This ultimately leads to poor reproducibility and reliability of the repair technique. Enhancement of these protein solders with a synthetic polymer membrane composed of poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) was investigated as a means for increasing the stability of the solders in physiological fluids prior to irradiation. In addition, predenaturation of both the traditional and membrane enhanced solders in a hot water bath at 75°C was investigated as a means to decrease the solubility of the solders, thus improving their handling characteristics, prior to laser irradiation. A Bradford protein assay was used to measure the solubility of the protein solders prior to thermal denaturation with a laser. To compare these results with the final product of laser tissue repairs, the solubility analysis was also performed on similar specimens after laser irradiation with an 805-nm diode laser. Doping of the solder in a polymer membrane and predenaturation of the solders at 75 °C were found to be advantageous for improving their handling characteristics. Alteration of the mechanical properties of the solders prior to laser treatment was also prevented, thus improving the reproducibility and reliability of the repairs. Finally, the solubility of protein solders of varying composition was correlated with the mechanical strength of arterial repairs formed in an in vitro porcine model. The data suggests that there should be an optimal solubility at which solder/tissue contact is maximized and solder runaway minimized, thus resulting in a superior bond.

Proceedings Article | 17 June 2002 Paper

Comparison of light-activated surgical adhesive and suture techniques for vascular repair: an in-vivo study

Eric Soller, Grant Hoffman, Jill Riley, Tonya Dickson, Pamela Rogers, Larry Solomon, Keith March, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4609, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.432088

KEYWORDS: Adhesives, Arteries, Polymers, Surgery, Laser tissue interaction, In vivo imaging, Semiconductor lasers, Visualization, Proteins, Laser welding

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 October 2001 Open Access

Surgical adhesives for laser-assisted wound closure

Diane Hodges, Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Ashley Welch

JBO, Vol. 6, Issue 04, (October 2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1412436

KEYWORDS: Adhesives, Tissues, Polymers, Laser welding, Laser tissue interaction, Proteins, Solids, Semiconductor lasers, Liquids, Laser applications

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Proceedings Article | 21 May 2001 Paper

In-vivo tissue repair using light-activated surgical adhesive in a porcine model

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Jill Riley, Tonya Dickson, Dong Ming Hou, Pamela Rogers, Keith March

Proceedings Volume 4244, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.427796

KEYWORDS: Adhesives, Arteries, Surgery, Polymers, In vivo imaging, Proteins, Tissue optics, Indocyanine green, Semiconductor lasers, Laser tissue interaction

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Proceedings Article | 21 May 2001 Paper

Evaluation of a new range of light-activated surgical adhesives for tissue repair in a porcine model

Jill Riley, Diane Hodges, Keith March, Karen McNally-Heintzelman

Proceedings Volume 4244, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.427795

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Arteries, Polymers, Adhesives, Laser tissue interaction, Intestine, Spleen, Proteins, Laser welding, Tissue optics

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 January 2001 Open Access

Improved vascular tissue fusion using new light-activated surgical adhesive on a canine model

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Brian Sorg, Daniel Hammer, Douglas Heintzelman, Diane Hodges, Ashley Welch

JBO, Vol. 6, Issue 01, (January 2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1332776

KEYWORDS: Polymers, Proteins, Arteries, Adhesives, Laser tissue interaction, Tissues, Laser welding, Veins, Laser applications, Tissue optics

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Proceedings Article | 17 May 2000 Paper

Improved laser-assisted vascular tissue fusion using solder-doped polymer membranes on a canine model

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Brian Sorg, Daniel Hammer, Douglas Heintzelman, Diane Hodges, Ashley Welch

Proceedings Volume 3907, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.386230

KEYWORDS: Polymers, Proteins, Laser tissue interaction, Arteries, Laser welding, Adhesives, Tissues, Veins, Semiconductor lasers, Particles

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Proceedings Article | 17 May 2000 Paper

Biodegradable polymer thin film for enhancement of laser-assisted incision closure with an indocyanine-green-doped liquid albumin solder

Brian Sorg, Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Ashley Welch

Proceedings Volume 3907, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.386282

KEYWORDS: Laser welding, Control systems, Tissues, Natural surfaces, Liquids, Interfaces, Reflection, Polymer thin films, Laser tissue interaction, Semiconductor lasers

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Proceedings Article | 17 May 2000 Paper

Solid protein solder-doped biodegradable polymer membranes for laser-assisted tissue repair

Diane Hodges, Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Ashley Welch

Proceedings Volume 3907, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.386301

KEYWORDS: Laser welding, Polymers, Proteins, Laser tissue interaction, Tissues, Solids, Semiconductor lasers, Liquids, Particles, Laser development

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Proceedings Article | 28 April 2000 Paper

Free-electron laser tissue-soldering in vitro with an albumin solder

Brian Sorg, Bernard Choi, Karen McNally-Heintzelman, E. Duco Jansen, Ashley Welch

Proceedings Volume 3925, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.384257

KEYWORDS: Absorption, Free electron lasers, Laser welding, Laser tissue interaction, Tissues, Chromophores, Natural surfaces, In vitro testing, Infrared radiation, Proteins

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Proceedings Article | 22 June 1999 Paper

ICG-doped albumin protein solders for improved tissue repair

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Brian Sorg, Ashley Welch, Judith Dawes

Proceedings Volume 3590, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.350951

KEYWORDS: Proteins, Laser welding, Laser tissue interaction, Tissues, Solids, Liquids, Natural surfaces, Collagen, Semiconductor lasers, Interfaces

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Proceedings Article | 22 June 1999 Paper

Precision dispensing of small volumes of albumin solder for laser-assisted wound closure

Brian Sorg, Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Eric Chan, Christopher Frederickson, Ashley Welch

Proceedings Volume 3590, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.350950

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Bridges, Laser welding, Natural surfaces, Deposition processes, Semiconductor lasers, Laser tissue interaction, Molybdenum, Pulsed laser operation

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Proceedings Article | 22 June 1999 Paper

Mechanisms of laser-induced thermal coagulation of whole blood in vitro

T. Joshua Pfefer, Bernard Choi, Gracie Vargas, Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Ashley Welch

Proceedings Volume 3590, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.350970

KEYWORDS: Blood, Pulsed laser operation, Temperature metrology, Laser damage threshold, Optical coherence tomography, Scattering, In vitro testing, Laser scattering, Cameras, Skin

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Proceedings Article | 1 July 1998 Paper

Optimal parameters for laser tissue soldering

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Brian Sorg, Eric Chan, Ashley Welch, Judith Dawes, Earl Owen

Proceedings Volume 3245, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.312299

KEYWORDS: Proteins, Solids, Laser welding, Liquids, Tissues, Laser tissue interaction, Natural surfaces, Temperature metrology, Semiconductor lasers, Laser applications

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Proceedings Article | 14 January 1998 Paper

Laser solder repair technique for nerve anastomosis: temperatures required for optimal tensile strength

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Judith Dawes, Antonio Lauto, Anthony Parker, Earl Owen, James Piper

Proceedings Volume 3195, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.297913

KEYWORDS: Nerve, Laser welding, Proteins, Solids, Semiconductor lasers, Laser tissue interaction, Temperature metrology, Interfaces, Tissues, Radiometry

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Laser-assisted repair of nerves is often unsatisfactory and has a high failure rate. Two disadvantages of laser assisted procedures are low initial strength of the resulting anastomosis and thermal damage of tissue by laser heating. Temporary or permanent stay sutures are used and fluid solders have been proposed to increase the strength of the repair. These techniques, however, have their own disadvantages including foreign body reaction and difficulty of application. To address these problems solid protein solder strips have been developed for use in conjunction with a diode laser for nerve anastomosis. The protein helps to supplement the bond, especially in the acute healing phase up to five days post- operative. Indocyanine green dye is added to the protein solder to absorb a laser wavelength (approximately 800 nm) that is poorly absorbed by water and other bodily tissues. This reduces the collateral thermal damage typically associated with other laser techniques. An investigation of the feasibility of the laser-solder repair technique in terms of required laser irradiance, tensile strength of the repair, and solder and tissue temperature is reported here. The tensile strength of repaired nerves rose steadily with laser irradiance reaching a maximum of 105 plus or minus 10 N.cm^-2 at 12.7 W.cm^-2. When higher laser irradiances were used the tensile strength of the resulting bonds dropped. Histopathological analysis of the laser- soldered nerves, conducted immediately after surgery, showed the solder to have adhered well to the perineurial membrane, with minimal damage to the inner axons of the nerve. The maximum temperature reached at the solder surface and at the solder/nerve interface, measured using a non-contact fiber optic radiometer and thermocouple respectively, also rose steadily with laser irradiance. At 12.7 W.cm^-2, the temperatures reached at the surface and at the interface were 85 plus or minus 4 and 68 plus or minus 4 degrees Celsius respectively. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the laser-solder repair technique for nerve anastomosis resulting in improved tensile strength. The welding temperature required to achieve optimal tensile strength has been identified.

Proceedings Article | 15 May 1997 Paper

Laser-dye ablation technique for removal of carious dentin and enamel

Karen McNally-Heintzelman, Barrie Gillings, Judith Dawes

Proceedings Volume 2973, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.273601

KEYWORDS: Teeth, Laser ablation, Semiconductor lasers, Dental caries, Natural surfaces, Laser dentistry, Temperature metrology, Laser tissue interaction, Scanning electron microscopy, Laser irradiation

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