Fabrication and Tissue Anchoring Performance of Nylon and Polypropylene Barbed Surgical Sutures

Barbed surgical sutures have attracted worldwide attention in recent years. The plurality of barbs projecting out and penetrating into surrounding tissue eliminates the need for tying a knot. In the current study,nylon and polypropylene( PP) barbed sutures with two different barb geometries designed to anchor in porcine skin and tendon tissues were fabricated by a specially designed mechanical cutting machine. The tensile properties were compared between the barbed and unbarbed control sutures. The in vitro tissue anchoring ability was measured by two tissue /suture pullout tests,one for skin and the other for tendon tissue. Regardless of the type of tissue,the PP barbed suture with its higher modulus had a superior anchoring ability. Given the same suture material,improved anchoring performance was shown in tendon tissue.

Sperm of rosy barb (Puntius conchonius) as an in vitro assay system of nonylphenol cytotoxicity

Nonylphenol （NP） is the final degradation product of alkylphenol polyethoxylates （APEs）, which are widely present in plastics, papers, pulp, detergents, pesticides, herbicides, paints and cosmetics. It is estimated that annual global production of APEs is about 500000 t, 60% of which eventually ends up in aquatic ecosystems primarily via wastewater （So16 et cd., 2000）. NP is resistant to biodegradation and persistent in the environment （Arukwe et al., 2000）.

Case of colonic intussusception secondary to mobile cecum syndrome repaired by laparoscopic cecopexy using a barbed wound suture device

A 27-year-old man with recurrent right lower quadrant pain was admitted to our hospital. Ultrasonography and computed tomography examination of the abdomen revealed a target sign in the ascending colon, which was compatible with the diagnosis of cecal intussusception. The intussusception was spontaneously resolved at that time, but it relapsed 6 mo later. The patient underwent a successful colonoscopic disinvagination; there was no evidence of neoplastic or inflammatory lesions in the colon and terminal ileum. The patient underwent laparoscopic surgery for recurring cecal intussusception. During laparoscopy, we observed an unfixed cecum on the posterior peritoneum(i.e. a mobile cecum). Thus, we performed laparoscopic appendectomy and cecopexy with a lateral peritoneal flap using a barbed wound suture device. The patient's post-operative course was uneventful, and he continued to do well without recurrence at 10 mo after surgery. Laparoscopic cecopexy using a barbed wound suture device is a simple and reliable procedure that can be the treatment of choice for recurrent cecal intussusception associated with a mobile cecum.

Particle Agglomeration in Bipolar Barb Agglomerator Under AC Electric Field

The development of an efficient technology for removing fine particles in flue gas is essential as the haze is becoming more and more serious.To improve agglomeration effectiveness of fine particles,a dual zone electric agglomeration device consisting of a charging chamber and an agglomeration chamber with bipolar barb electrodes was developed.The bipolar barb electric agglomerator with a polar distance of 200 mm demonstrates good agglomeration effectiveness for particles with a size less than 8.0μm under applied AC electric field.An optimal condition for achieving better agglomeration effectiveness was found to be as follows：flue gas flow velocity of3.00 m/s,particle concentration of 2.00 g/m^3,output voltage of 35 kV and length of the barb of16 ram.In addition,4.0-6.0μm particles haste the best effectiveness with the variation of particle volume occupancy of-3.2.

Microsatellite DNA markers to assess population structure of red tailed barb Gonoproktopterus curmuca

本文检测了三种鲤科鱼的 1 6对微卫星引物在红尾中的适用性 ,其中 6对引物可以成功扩增 ,且 5个位点具有多态性。对采自两条不同河流的标本 ,通过检测这些多态微卫星位点的遗传变异情况 ,评估了它们在红尾种群结构分析的适合性。结果显示这 5个多态位点在上述两个样本中的平均表观杂合度分别是 0 2 93和0 4 71。

Tissue Holding Performance of Barbed Sutures

A new technology of knotless barbed surgical sutures has made its mark in cosmetic surgery around the world. Although this technology is still under development, it has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration in USA, and is now used for facelift and eyelid ptosis procedures. The objectives of this study were to review the different types of knotless sutures, assess the tissue holding capacity of barbed sutures and perform image analysis to better understand the mechanism of energy absorption by the barbs under loading by the forces of surrounding tissues. A two dimensional finite element analysis was also performed to identify the areas of stress concentration, which are the main precursors for the peeling of the barbs beyond the maximun tissue holding force for a particular polymer. It was found that barbed sutures exhibit tissue holding capacities comparable to that of knotted sutures. This technology needs to be investigated further so as to optimize the barb geometry for superior holding capacity in a variety of different tissues.

Efficacy of staple line reinforcement by barbed suture for preventing anastomotic leakage in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Anastomotic leakage(AL) is a severe complication in rectal cancer surgery.Various methods, including intracorporeal reinforcing suturing, have been used to reduce the incidence of AL. However, little is known about the efficacy of staple-line reinforcement by barbed suture for preventing AL.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of staple-line reinforcement using barbed suture for preventing AL in laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical datum of 319 patients undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection combined with double stapling technique between May 1, 2017 and January 31, 2021. All surgeries were performed by the same surgical team specializing in colorectal surgery. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they received reinforcing sutures. Patients’ baseline characteristics did not show any significant difference between the two groups. We analyzed patient-, tumor-, as well as surgery-related variables using univariate and multivariate logistic analyses.RESULTS There were 168 patients in the reinforcing suture group and 151 patients in the non-reinforcing suture group. AL occurred in 25 cases(7.8%). Its incidence was significantly higher in the non-reinforcing suture group than in the reinforcing suture group(4.8% vs 11.3%, P = 0.031). The multivariate analyses demonstrated that the tumor site, tumor size and presence of staple-line reinforcement were independent risk factors for AL. We divided these patients into two risk groups based on the combination of tumor site and tumor size. Patients without any risk factor were assigned to the low-risk group(n = 177), whereas those having one or two risk factors were assigned to the high-risk group(n = 142). In the high-risk group, the AL incidence considerably decreased in the reinforcing suture group compared with that in the non-reinforcing suture group(P = 0.038). Nonetheless, no significant difference was found in the low-risk group between the two groups.CONCLUSION Staple-line reinforcement by barbed suture may decrease the incidence of AL. A large-scale prospective randomized controlled trial is needed for evaluating the efficacy of staple-line reinforcement for preventing AL.

Prospective Interventional Study to Quantify Barbed Suture Exposure at Vaginal Vault and Assess Post-Operative Risk

Background: The use of barbed suture in laparoscopic surgery is increasing ever since 2008. Published reports of use of unidirectional barbed suture for vaginal vault closure following total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), indicates it is safe. Despite of this many reports of adhesions and bowel obstruction are reported. This complication was never assessed in relation to amount of suture exposure at vaginal vault. We thought of quantifying the barbed suture exposure at vaginal vault and assess the risk of post-operative complications. Objective: The objective was to quantify the exposure of barbed suture at vaginal vault by adopting a uniform technique of vault suturing and assessing postoperative risk related to adhesions at vaginal vault. Method: In 30 patients who underwent TLH, a uniform new technique of vaginal vault closure using barbed suture was used and the portion of suture exposed at vaginal vault was quantified. The patients were followed up for a period of 6 months to assess post-operative risk of adhesions at vault and sequalae. Result: Mean length of suture exposed was 2.64 ± 1.65 mm only. Suture exposure at vaginal vault was seen in 23 (76.67%) out of 30 patients. The suture was exposed on average at 1.57 ± 1.20 places at vaginal vault. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study with an accepted relative error of 5% quantifies barbed suture exposure at vaginal vault. We had adopted a uniform new method of vaginal vault suturing to study and to quantify barbed suture exposure. It was observed that very minimal portion of suture was exposed at vaginal vault. It was exposed at only a couple of places at vaginal vault. Thus, decreasing suture exposure at vaginal vault will reduce its exposure related risk.

Optimization of tissue anchoring performance and mechanical properties of barbed sutures for flexor tendons repair

Aim: The ideal flexor tendon repair should be reliable, simple and strong enough without impairing the tendon healing. Based on these requirements, we have imagined the use of a single barbed intra-tendinous suture for stumps connection. The aim of our research is to quantify the stress that the suture and barbs should withstand in order to ensure perfect stumps connections. Methods: Seven different cross-section sutures were selected for the research study. One circular and 6 different elliptical shapes were defined according to the ratio of their minor and major axes (ρ = b/a). Barbs were designed with 3 different depths and 3 different cut angles. Thus, 9 different situations were considered for each suture geometry. Finally, 2 loading conditions were applied on each barb and tested in ANSYS Workbench using a finite element analysis technique. Results: Studies showed that a barbed suture with 0.18-mm depth, 150° cut angle and ρ = 3 produced the lowest stresses within the barb itself, while a barbed suture with 0.18-mm depth, 160° cut angle and ρ = 4 demonstrated lowest stress within the entire suture. Conclusion: The stress values in these two configurations are observed to be very close and both can fit a single barbed suture for tendon insertion and repair.

Optimization of the design of a barbed suture for flexor tendon repair using extended finite element analysis

Aim: Use of barbed sutures for fiexor tendon repair is a promising technique. These sutures lie within the substance of the tendon, avoiding the need of external knots and so improving tendon gliding. The load is dispersed equally along the length of the barbed suture, decreasing the possibility of rupture. The purpose of this article is to propose enhanced suture geometry by comparing different cross-sectional configurations, barb cut angles and cut depths using the finite element method. Methods: lnspired by the geometry of fiexor tendons, an elliptical cross-sectional wire was investigated. Mechanical behavior of five different aspect ratios (ρ = 1/3, 1/2, 1, 2, 3), three different cut angles (150°, 154°, 160°) and three cut depths (0.07-mm, 0.12-mm, 0.18-mm) were studied via extended finite element analysis using ABAQUS, for two different loading conditions: one to assess the strength of the suture and the second to evaluate the strength of a single barb. An extended finite element method has been implemented on ABAQUS to predict crack growth in viscoelastic material. Results: Based on these results, an elliptical suture having an aspect ratio of 1/2, 160° of cut angle, and 0.12-mm of cut depth is recommended. Conclusion: Barbed sutures are a good option for tendon repair. Our experiments assessed the mechanical performance of barbed sutures and suggested an optimized suture geometry for a single-stranded repair technique.

Photometric analysis of absorbable barbed suture for periareolar closure in mastopexy

Aim:The primary author previously described his technique for periareolar closure in mastopexy using a pinwheel interlocking purse string with absorbable barbed suture and now reports the results of a retrospective photometric analysis comparing this technique with the same closure using Gortex®suture.This study is designed to compare the degree of areolar widening and safety profile of using absorbable barbed sutures for periareolar closure versus permanent smooth suture.Methods:A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients whose periareolar closures were performed using an interlocking purse-string technique over a 10-year period.Only patients undergoing circumvertical mastopexy were included.All had photometric evaluation and follow-up performed within 6-24 months.Results:In total,20 patients(40 areolas),which were closed with absorbable barbed suture,were analyzed photometrically.In this suture group,areola size increased a mean of 4.9%from baseline,and no complications(0%)were observed.This compared favorably with previously reported complication rates using permanent sutures and with a series of cases presented herein in which permanent smooth suture was used for purse string closure.The degree to which absorbable barbed suture controls areolar spread was shown to be significantly better than those where permanent smooth purse string techniques were employed.Conclusion:Circumvertical mastopexy closures using absorbable barbed suture was shown to be safe and effective and compared favorably to older techniques using permanent smooth suture for similar closures.This paper lends support to the safety of using absorbable barbed suture in circumareolar closures to limit areolar spread.

Using a New Glacial History Paradigm and Bald Eagle Through Valley Topographic Map Evidence to Determine Central Pennsylvania’s Geomorphic History, USA

A new glacial history paradigm that describes huge and prolonged southwest-oriented meltwater floods flowing along the rising rim of a deep “hole” (which a large continental icesheet created and occupied) is used to explain previously unexplained or poorly explained central Pennsylvania Bald Eagle through valley region topographic map evidence. Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle through valley as defined here extends in a northeast direction from near Altoona to near Williamsport along the Allegheny Front escarpment base and forms the boundary between the Appalachian Plateau to the northwest and the Ridge and Valley Province to the southeast. The Lycoming and Towanda Creek valleys follow a probable northeastern Bald Eagle through valley extension and a probable southern extension continues southward along the Allegheny Front base by crossing Juniata River tributary drainage basins to reach the Potomac River drainage basin. Landform features identified on topographic maps, which include through valleys (valleys crossing drainage divides), barbed tributaries, drainage route orientations, drainage route direction changes, water gaps, and gaps located along the Allegheny Front crest, are used to reconstruct how the Pennsylvania Susquehanna and Juniata River drainage systems developed. The resulting geomorphic history describes how massive southwest-oriented floods moving across what was probably a low relief and rising surface (now preserved if preserved at all by the region’s highest elevations) flowed to an actively eroding Potomac River drainage system before being captured and sometimes reversed first by Juniata River valley headward erosion, second by West Branch Susquehanna River valley headward erosion (to create northeast-oriented Bald Eagle Creek and the northeast-oriented West Branch Susquehanna River segment) and third by North Branch Susquehanna River valley headward erosion. This interpretation explains most if not all of the previously poorly explained and unexplained topographic map evidence.

腹腔镜下应用倒刺线行胆肠吻合的临床分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜下应用倒刺线行胆肠吻合的可行性、安全性。方法:回顾分析2021年1月至2023年7月行腹腔镜胆肠吻合的38例患者的临床资料,根据使用的缝线分为倒刺线组(n=18)与对照组(n=20),倒刺线组于腹腔镜下应用倒刺线行胆肠吻合,其中良性病变12例,包括Ⅰ型、Ⅳb型胆总管囊肿9例,胆总管下端狭窄2例,吻合口狭窄拆除重建1例;恶性病变6例,包括胰头癌3例、壶腹周围癌3例。对照组于腹腔镜下使用可吸收缝线行胆肠吻合,其中良性病变13例,均为Ⅰ型、Ⅳb型胆总管囊肿;恶性病变7例,包括胰头癌3例、壶腹周围癌4例。对比分析两组围手术期临床指标。结果:倒刺线组胆肠缝合时间短于对照组,差异有统计学意义[(16.90±1.33)min vs.(23.06±2.44)min,P<0.05],倒刺线组与对照组肝总管内径[(18.83±2.92)mm vs.(19.80±1.91)mm]、胆肠吻合口内径[(17.33±2.47)mm vs.(18.00±1.75)mm]差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组术后胆肠吻合口引流管拔除时间、吻合口漏及第1天、第3天、第7天肝功能、感染指标差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),两组均未发生狭窄。患者均顺利恢复出院。术后1~3个月门诊复查CT,未发现胆管扩张、新增腹腔积液,无腹痛、发热等症状,近期预后良好。结论:腹腔镜下应用倒刺线行胆肠吻合是安全、可行的,可缩短胆肠吻合口的缝合时间。

艾司奥美拉唑在腹腔镜胃溃疡穿孔倒刺线缝合修补术后辅助治疗中的应用价值

目的探讨艾司奥美拉唑在腹腔镜胃溃疡穿孔倒刺线缝合修补术后辅助治疗中的应用价值。方法选取2021年9月至2023年9月抚州市第一人民医院急诊外科收治的68例胃溃疡穿孔患者作为研究对象,随机分为对照组与观察组,各34例。两组均实施腹腔镜胃溃疡穿孔修补术治疗,对照组术后予以其他药物治疗,观察组术后则联合艾司奥美拉唑治疗。比较两组临床疗效、血清转化生长因子α(TGF-α)水平、胃泌素(Gas)水平、血清炎症因子指标[C-反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)]、免疫功能指标(CD4^(+)、CD8^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+))。结果观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,两组TGF-α水平均高于治疗前,Gas水平均低于治疗前,且观察组TGF-α水平高于对照组,Gas水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,两组CRP、IL-6水平均低于治疗前,且观察组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,两组CD4^(+)水平及CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)均高于治疗前,CD8^(+)水平低于治疗前,且观察组CD4^(+)水平及CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)均高于对照组,CD8^(+)水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论艾司奥美拉唑在腹腔镜胃溃疡穿孔倒刺线缝合修补术后辅助治疗的应用价值较高,不仅可改善患者黏膜环境,促进溃疡恢复,还能避免机体炎症反应加剧,调节机体免疫功能,进一步巩固手术疗效,促进病情康复。

根部坏疽穿孔复杂阑尾炎的腹腔镜手术治疗体会

目的:探讨倒刺线在根部坏疽穿孔性阑尾炎腹腔镜手术中的应用效果。方法:回顾分析2020年7月至2023年6月收治的47例根部坏疽穿孔性阑尾炎患者的临床资料,其中男28例,女19例,平均(50.9±14.1)岁;均行腹腔镜阑尾切除术,术中采用倒刺线全层连续缝合阑尾残端。观察术中、术后及并发症情况。结果:47例患者均顺利完成手术,无中转开腹。手术时间平均(82.8±29.1)min;阑尾残端缝合时间平均(7.6±3.1)min;术中出血量平均(22.1±11.7)mL;胃肠功能恢复时间(35.1±13.8)h;拔除腹腔引流管时间(5.9±2.2)d;术后住院(11.1±4.0)d。术后临床病理分型:急性坏疽穿孔性阑尾炎29例,阑尾周围脓肿18例。术后发生3例戳孔感染、1例右下腹炎性包块、2例腹腔脓肿,无阑尾残端瘘、肠瘘发生。47例患者均获随访,随访3~12个月,无粘连性肠梗阻等并发症发生。结论:腹腔镜手术中应用倒刺线全层连续缝合阑尾残端治疗根部坏疽穿孔性阑尾炎是安全、有效的,可降低腹腔镜下缝合难度,值得临床推广应用。

倒刺线缝合子宫血管在经脐单孔腹腔镜下大子宫切除术中的应用

目的探讨倒刺线缝合子宫血管在经脐单孔腹腔镜下大子宫切除术中的应用。方法选取2021年6月-2022年6月该院大子宫切除术的患者41例,分为A组(实验组n=20)和B组(对照组n=21)。A组采用倒刺线缝合子宫血管行经脐单孔腹腔镜下大子宫切除术,B组采用传统四孔腹腔镜下大子宫切除术。比较两组患者年龄、体重指数(BMI)、盆腹腔手术史、术前术后血红蛋白(HGB)、手术时间、术中出血量、子宫重量、术后24 h疼痛视觉模拟评分法(visual analogue scale,VAS)、术后肛门排气时间和术后住院时间等。结果两组患者均成功完成手术,无严重并发症发生。A组较B组手术时间明显延长(P<0.01);两组患者术中出血量、子宫重量、术后第1天HGB、术后住院时间、术后肛门排气时间和术后24 h疼痛VAS比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论在经脐单孔腹腔镜下大子宫切除术中,采用倒刺线缝合子宫血管,安全、可行,但手术时间比多孔腹腔镜明显延长,随着该技术的逐渐熟练,这种情况将得以改善。

一种新型抗菌降噪耳塞设计

随着噪声污染日益严重,传统的降噪耳塞已难以满足需求。因此,研发新型耳塞产品十分有必要。本文提出了一种新型抗菌降噪耳塞设计,旨在解决传统耳塞在降噪效果、佩戴舒适性以及长期使用安全性方面的问题。该耳塞拟采用GO/ZnO纳米复合材料实现表面抗菌,结合物理学和仿生学原理分别设计真空颗粒以及倒刺结构,增强其降噪性、稳定性和舒适性。通过耳塞性能测试与评估实验,该耳塞展现出优异的降噪和抗菌性能。

全膝关节置换术中皮肤倒刺线皮内缝合与普通丝间断缝合对疗效的影响研究

探讨在全膝关节置换术(TKA)中运用倒刺线皮内缝合与普通丝线间断缝合皮肤的临床疗效差异。选取2020年1月—2022年1月贵州中医药大学第一附属医院骨伤科收治的75例TKA患者作为研究对象,并将其分为观察组和对照组,其中观察组34例用倒刺线皮内缝合皮肤,对照组40例用普通丝线间断缝合皮肤,比较两组患者的术中缝合时间、术后住院时间;术前、术后膝关节疼痛与功能情况;术前和术后的C反应蛋白(CRP)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)情况。研究发现,相较于普通丝线间断缝合皮肤,倒刺线皮内缝合皮肤能够缩短术中缝合时间,不会增加术后切口感染率,但会明显增加术后屈膝时膝前伤口疼痛,影响术后早期的功能康复。

线-板式静电除尘器芒刺电晕线放电特性

芒刺电晕线具有优良的放电特性,在静电除尘器中得到了广泛应用。为研究芒刺电晕线的结构参数和极配参数对电晕线放电特性的影响,以常用的4种芒刺电晕线作为研究对象,建立了静电除尘器机理的实验台。从收尘极板上电晕电流密度大小和分布两个方面对芒刺电晕线的放电特性进行了实验研究,考察了芒刺高度h、光管直径d和异极距H对芒刺电晕线放电特性的影响。结果表明:相同工况下,6钉型芒刺的电晕电流密度较大,RS芒刺的电晕电流分布较均匀;芒刺电晕线的结构参数和极配参数对芒刺电晕线放电特性的影响,可以近似等效为平均电场强度对芒刺电晕线放电特性的影响;平均电场强度E和电晕电流密度J、电晕电流密度分布标准差σ之间满足二次函数关系。研究结果为芒刺电晕线的设计、静电除尘器的极配方式和电源选择提供了参考依据。

单向倒刺线与普通可吸收线在腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石一期缝合术中应用的对比研究

目的评价单向倒刺线(可吸收缝合线v-locTM180)在腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石一期缝合术中应用的安全性及效果。方法回顾性分析2014年7月-2015年6月该科由同一术者主刀完成的腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石一期缝合术86例,分为倒刺线连续全层缝合胆总管组(A组)、普通可吸收线连续全层缝合胆总管组(B组)、普通可吸收线间断全层缝合胆总管组(C组)。比较各组患者胆总管缝合所需时间、术中出血量、术后进食时间、术后住院天数和术后胆瘘发生的差异。结果 86例均顺利完成腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石一期缝合手术,术中不需放置T管,无中转开腹病例。A组胆总管缝合所需时间与B、C组相比均有统计学意义(P<0.05);各组两组比较在术中出血量、术后进食时间和术后住院天数方面差异无统计学意义;A组术后未出现胆瘘,B组术后胆瘘1例,C组术后胆瘘2例。结论在腹腔镜胆总管切开取石一期缝合术中,单向倒刺线连续全层缝合胆总管是操作简单、安全可行的。