Baril Y, Brailovski V, Chartrand M, Terriault P, Cartier R
Departement of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2009 Apr;223(3):363-74. doi: 10.1243/09544119JEIM481.
A new device to reduce the risk of post-operative complications following median sternotomy is proposed, made of a superelastic shape memory alloy and called a braided tubular superelastic (BTS) suture. This study compares the viability of the BTS suture with that of the standard monofilament stainless steel (MSS) suture. A custom test bench was developed to perform comparative testing of the two sternal closure systems. Sternal models made of polyurethane were closed using common wiring configurations. Static and dynamic tensile separation forces, up to a maximum of 1200 N, were then applied to the closed sternums. The MSS and BTS sutures are compared in terms of the force required to open completely the sternum, the compression force at the sternum midline, and the permanent sternum opening. With a smaller sternum opening and a higher tensile separation force, the MSS suture showed greater rigidity than the BTS suture. The BTS suture, however, displayed a better capacity to reapply compression forces at the sternum midline following the repetitive application and release of tensile separation forces. These results confirm the potential of the BTS suture technology, but further studies using cadaveric sterna are needed to attest definitely to the benefits of using the BTS suture to improve bone healing.
一种用于降低正中开胸术后并发症风险的新型装置被提出，它由超弹性形状记忆合金制成，称为编织管状超弹性（BTS）缝线。本研究比较了BTS缝线与标准单丝不锈钢（MSS）缝线的可行性。开发了一个定制测试台，对两种胸骨闭合系统进行对比测试。使用常见的布线配置对由聚氨酯制成的胸骨模型进行闭合。然后对闭合的胸骨施加高达1200 N的静态和动态拉伸分离力。比较了MSS和BTS缝线在完全打开胸骨所需的力、胸骨中线处的压缩力以及胸骨永久性开口方面的差异。MSS缝线的胸骨开口较小且拉伸分离力较高，显示出比BTS缝线更大的刚性。然而，BTS缝线在反复施加和释放拉伸分离力后，在胸骨中线处重新施加压缩力的能力更好。这些结果证实了BTS缝线技术的潜力，但需要使用尸体胸骨进行进一步研究，以明确证明使用BTS缝线改善骨愈合的益处。
