A Hybrid Device for Anchoring FRP Sheets Aimed to Enhance the Flexural Capacity of RC Elements

The potential of externally applied FRP （fiber-reinforced plastic） sheets, being employed in retrofitting schemes aimed to repair and strengthen RC （reinforced concrete） structural elements damaged by prototype strong earthquakes, is presented and discussed in this study. The limitation of the debonding mode of failure of these FRP sheets is highlighted and the necessity to develop efficient anchoring devices for these FRP sheets is underlined. The behavior of such a novel HAD （hybrid anchoring device） capable of anchoring CFRP （carbon fiber reinforcing plastic） sheets to RC structural elements, is presented and discussed. The behavior of the device itself was studied through a 3D non-linear numerical simulation at the preliminary design stage in order to establish certain desired features such as the ductile behavior of the device itself as well as the satisfactory performance of the FRP sheets wrapped around this device. This HAD was next applied as part of a strengthening scheme aimed to upgrade the flexural capacity of an RC bridge-type pier specimen subjected to a cyclic seismic-type loading sequence. The obtained results demonstrated an increase in the specimen＇s flexural capacity by 100% as well as a similar increase in its capability of dissipating energy in a ductile manner during the cyclic load sequence. Moreover, the employed 3D non-linear numerical simulation yielded reasonably good agreement between the measured and the predicted cyclic response of this specimen strengthened by CFRP layers, which were anchored by the novel HAD. The successful behavior of this novel HAD, which has been patented with No. WO2011073696, is currently being tried with a number of other retrofitting schemes employing FRP sheets externally attached on RC structural elements.

Animal experimental study on magnetic anchor technique-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)has high morbidity and mortality.Moreover,because GC has no typical symptoms in the early stages,most cases are already in the advanced stages by the time the symptoms appear,thus resulting in poor prognosis and a low survival rate.Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)can realize the early detection and diagnosis of GC and become the main surgical method for early GC.However,ESD has a steep learning curve and high technical skill requirements for endoscopists,which is not conducive to its widespread implementation and advancement.Therefore,a series of auxiliary techniques have been derived.AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of magnetic anchor technique(MAT)-assisted ESD in early GC.METHODS This was an ex vivo animal experiment.The experimental models were the isolated stomachs of pigs,which were divided into two groups,namely the study group(n=6)with MAT-assisted ESD and the control group(n=6)with traditional ESD.Comparing the total surgical time,incidence of surgical complications,complete mucosal resection rate,specimen size,and the scores of endoscopist’s satisfaction with the procedure reflected their feelings about convenience during the surgical procedure between the two groups.The magnetic anchor device for auxiliary ESD in the study group comprised three parts,an anchor magnet(AM),a target magnet(TM),and a soft tissue clip.Under gastroscopic guidance,the soft tissue clip and the TM were delivered to the pre-marked mucosal lesion through the gastroscopic operating hole.The soft tissue clip and the TM were connected by a thin wire through the TM tail structure.The soft tissue clip was released by manipulating the operating handle of the soft tissue clip in a way that the soft tissue clip and the TM were fixed to the lesion mucosa.In vitro,ESD is aided by maneuvering the AM such that the mucosal dissection surface is exposed.RESULTS The total surgical time was shorter in the study group than in the control group(26.57±0.19 vs 29.97±0.28,P<0.001),and the scores of endoscopist’s satisfaction with the procedure were higher in the study group than in the control group(9.53±0.10 vs 8.00±0.22,P<0.001).During the operation in the study group,there was no detachment of the soft tissue clip and TM and no mucosal tearing.The magnetic force between the AM and TM provided good mucosal exposure and sufficient tissue tension for ESD.The mucosal lesion was completely peeled off,and the operation was successful.There were no significant differences in the incidence of surgical complications(100%vs 83.3%),complete mucosal resection rate(100%vs 66.7%,P=0.439),and specimen size(2.44±0.04 cm vs 2.49±0.02,P=0.328)between the two groups.CONCLUSION MAT-ESD is safe and effective for early GC.It provides a preliminary basis for subsequent internal animal experiments and clinical research.

Magnetic anchor technique assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer has high incidence globally and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.With the widespread application of endoscopic technologies,the need for early detection and diagnosis of esophageal cancer has gradually been realized.Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)has become the standard of care for managing early tumors of the esophagus,stomach,and colon.However,due to the steep learning curve,difficult operation,and technically demanding nature of the procedure,ESD has currently been committed to the development of various assistive technologies.AIM To explore the feasibility and applicability of magnetic anchor technique(MAT)-assisted ESD for early esophageal cancer.METHODS Isolated pig esophagi were used as the experimental model,and the magnetic anchor device was designed by us.The esophagi used were divided into two groups,namely the operational and control groups,and 10 endoscopists completed the procedure.The two groups were evaluated for the following aspects:The total operative time,perforation rate,rate of whole mucosal resection,diameter of the peering mucosa,and scores of endoscopists’feelings with the procedure,including the convenience,mucosal surface exposure degree,and tissue tension.In addition,in the operational group,the soft tissue clip and the target magnet(TM)were connected by a thin wire through a small hole at the tail end of the TM.Under gastroscopic guidance,the soft tissue clip was clamped to the edge of the lesioned mucosa,which was marked in advance.By changing the position of the anchor magnet(AM)outside the esophagus,the pulling force and pulling direction of the TM could be changed,thus exposing the mucosal peeling surface and assisting the ESD.RESULTS Herein,each of the two groups comprised 10 isolated esophageal putative mucosal lesions.The diameter of the peering mucosa did not significantly differ between the two groups(2.13±0.06 vs 2.15±0.06,P=0.882).The total operative time was shorter in the operational group than in the control group(17.04±0.22 min vs 21.94±0.23 min,P<0.001).During the entire experiment,the TM remained firmly connected with the soft tissue clip and did not affect the opening,closing,and release of the soft tissue clip.The interaction between the TM and AM could provide sufficient tissue tension and completely expose the mucosa,which greatly assists the surgeon with the operation.There was no avulsion of the mucosa,and mucosal lesions were intact when peeled.Therefore,the scores of endoscopists’feelings were higher in the operational group than in the control group in terms of the convenience(9.22±0.19 vs 8.34±0.15,P=0.002),mucosal surface exposure degree(9.11±0.15 vs 8.25±0.12,P<0.001),and tissue tension(9.35±0.13 vs 8.02±0.17,P<0.001).The two groups did not significantly differ in the perforation rate and rate of whole mucosal resection.CONCLUSION We found MAT-assisted ESD safe and feasible for early esophageal cancer.It could greatly improve the endoscopic operation experience and showed good clinical application prospects.