Metallic-peristome surface inspired by Nepenthes alata for anti-sticking of electrosurgical electrodes

Soft tissue sticking to electrosurgical electrodes in minimally invasive surgery can cause tissue trauma, laceration, and bleeding and can easily lead to medical accidents. The multilevel structure on the peristome surface of Nepenthes alata creates a stable liquid film and long-term slippery phenomena, providing excellent antisticking performance. However, transferring the multilevel structure to metallic substrates is a critical challenge. Herein, a facile method using a bionic replication process combined with an electroforming process was reported to successfully prepare a realistic metallic-peristome surface (MPS) from the peristome surface of Nepenthes alata to a copper-based substrate. The long-term lubrication theory of MPS was analyzed, which demonstrated the high wettability and robustness of the surface. The unidirectional transport behavior and long-term lubrication performance of dimethyl silicone oil on the MPS under the action of a thermal field gradient were analyzed. The results show that the as-prepared metallic-peristome surface has liquid transport capability in the opposite direction of the thermal field gradient. In addition, the introduction of microstructures on the surface of the MPS electrode can promote the occurrence of spark effects and improve the cutting effect. An electrocution test of isolated pig liver tissue was conducted to test the tissue antisticking properties, thermal damage, and antibacterial effects of self-lubricating slippery surface bionic electrosurgery. MPS exhibits excellent antistick properties, low thermal damage, and significant antibacterial properties, laying the foundation for its application in other fields.