Biocompatibility of genipin-fixed porcine aorta as a possible esophageal prosthesis

AbstractThe esophagus is a tubular multi-layer organ that carries the food bolus and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal prostheses and scaffolds should have the appropriate mechanical and strain properties in the longitudinal and circumferential directions. A novel bi-layered esophageal prosthesis was produced using knitted tubular silk fabric and a coating of polyurethane (PU) nanofibers. The optimization process was performed in two steps. First, 12 different tubular structures of knitted silk fabrics were produced and mechanical properties were measured in both directions. The mechanical properties were optimized using an artificial neural network (ANN) and a genetic algorithm (GA) and the optimum knitted structure was produced as a substrate for coating with PU nanofibers. In second step, 20 different samples were produced by electrospinning the PU nanofibers at different process conditions (collector speed, feeding rate) on the optimized structure of the knitted fabric. Finally, the elastic properties of the bi-layered tubular structures were measured and optimized by the ANN and GA methods. Results presented show that the optimized structure of the esophageal prosthesis had proper mechanical properties similar to the esophagus. Such a structure can be used as a substitute in esophageal disorders.

Download Full-text

Photodynamic Therapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Useful and Realistic Option

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/153303460300200108 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 65-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Hugh Barr ◽

Catherine Kendall ◽

Nicholas Stone

Keyword(s):

Esophageal Cancer ◽

Photodynamic Therapy ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Tissue Destruction ◽

Esophageal Lumen ◽

Realistic Option ◽

Radical Therapy ◽

Esophageal Prosthesis ◽

Exciting Development ◽

Cancerous Change

The use of light therapy for tissue destruction is highly attractive for the endoscopic and minimally invasive therapy of esophageal cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers the possibility of palliation of advanced obstructing tumors. However, there are other competing techniques, which can be used to open the esophageal lumen. It has also proved very effective in providing prolonged palliation of patients with advanced irresectable cancer. Completely obstructing tumors, tortuous and long lesions, and tumors near the upper end of the esophagus are particularly suitable for photodynamic therapy. Patients with obstruction to an esophageal prosthesis are also well palliated with PDT. A more interesting and exciting development is its use for the eradication of early asymptomatic mucosal disease. Photodynamic therapy is particularly useful for the eradication of field cancerous change in patients with pre-malignant Barrett's esophagus, or early tumors in patients unfit for radical therapy.

Download Full-text