Genuine Healing Lights Coming Soon

I'm a miracle worker, not some 21st century doctor with a needle and thread!

In Star Trek, Dr. McCoy whips out a gadget to instantly close wounds, without touching the patient. Research funded by the US Air Force may make part of this sci-fi staple a reality in the near future.

The process involves applying a light-absorbent pink dye (called "Rose Bengal") around the wound, then shining a green light on the area. The light excites electrons, encouraging chemical bonds between the protein molecules in the skin. Eventually the molecules start linking up across opposite sides of the wound, creating seals on the cellular level.

The researchers, working in the Massachusetts General Hospital, are currently testing the procedure's effectiveness against traditional stitching. Patients who'd normally require stitching after minor medical procedures serve as the guinea pigs. The healing light methodology promises many advantages over the old-school approach: the so-called "nanosutures" created by the light are water-tight, produce less scarring, and don't damage healthy tissue like puncturing skin with a needle does.

While the Air Force wants to use the technology on the battlefield, the system has potential civilian uses as well. According to Dr. Irene Kochevar, a dermatology professor at Harvard representing the research team, the healing light can heal severed nerves and blood vessels. A perfect solution to "when you [accidentally] run a knife through your hand".

Protein Crosslinking (Image from PopSci)