Effects of Cross-Sectional Stress-Relaxation on Handling Characteristics of Suture Materials

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tomita, N.^; | Tamai, S. | Ikeuchi, K. | Ikada, Y.

Affiliations: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, 634 Japan | Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku Kyoto, 606 Japan

Abstract: Pullout friction and cross-sectional relaxation tests were conducted to quantitatively evaluate the handling characteristics of braided sutures. The excellent handling of silk suture could be explained in terms of a large difference between static and dynamic pullout resistances. The difference in the resistance was closely correlated to the slope of the cross-sectional relaxation versus time logarithmic plot. It was therefore concluded that the cross-sectional stress-relaxation plays an important role in the handling performance of braided sutures.

Keywords: suture, handling, silk, mechanical property, biomaterial

DOI: 10.3233/BME-1994-4105

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 47-59, 1994