The primary means of surgical wound repair for torn or severed collagenous tissue (e.g. tendon) is suturing. Sutures can act as sites of inflammation and infection, thus hindering wound healing. Recent laser-based photothermal methods for surgical wound repair are intended to avoid suture-related problems, but can result in thermal tissue damage that delays the healing process.

The present invention is a preliminary step in designing and synthesizing photoactivated compounds that could potentially be used as an alternative to sutures or staples in surgical wound closure of collagenous tissues. The agent has been shown to bond ex vivo tendon and corneal samples as well as solid gelatin strips with UV exposures and may be ideal for bonding tissues high in type I collagen. Bond tensile strengths for the corneal and tendon samples are low compared to sutures.

Advantages:

� A light-activated collagen bonding agent replacing suture in wound closure

� Faster wound healing time

� Areas of the wound are firmly held together thus avoiding weakened corneal structure and possible future would failure

File Number: 99KUMC219 

Other Information: *State of Development* Available for exclusive and non-exclusive license *Testing* Extending and testing compounds