Biomechanical Studies of Novel Hernia Meshes with Enhanced Surface Behaviour

Research on hernia implants, especially less-invasive implantation techniques, is an important focus of study around the world. Practitioners require that these elaborate structures, which are primarily designed using textile technology, possess biomimetic behaviour to significantly reduce post-implantation complications. Novel textile hernia implants are designed with surface modifications that prevent prosthesis migration after implantation. The specialised structural design and enhanced prosthesis surface with stitched loops enables increased surface contact with the fascia, which improves the integration of connective tissue with the prosthesis without overgrowth (thick scar formation). The main intra-operative clinical benefit of the novel implant is its potential utility in suture-less techniques. The aim of this study was to compare novel hernia implant designs to clinically proven, commercially available knitted hernia meshes in vitro. TEMA MOTION 3.5 software was used to analyse motion and estimate the tendency of the non-fixed implants to remain in a stable position at the sublay in a simulated hydrodynamic model of the abdominal wall hernia system.The mechanical resistance of the implant against simulated maximal intra-abdominal pressure, the height of the simulated abdominal wall in the reconstruction region and the curvature of the reconstructions were determined and compared with results obtained with commercial hernia meshes of low surface mass that differ in structure, stiffness and thickness

Effect of chitosan film surface structure on the contact angle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the surface microstructure of chitosan films on the contact angle. Films without plasticising additives made of chitosan or regenerated chitosan were selected for the tests. A sessile drop method based on the European Pharmacopoeia was used to determine the contact angle. Due to the method of film production, the contact angle measurements were made on both the top and bottom surfaces of the film. For chitosan or regenerated chitosan films, the method of preparation slightly affected the difference in wettability between the top and bottom of the films, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. On the other hand, the wettability of the top and bottom of cellulose films varied greatly depending on the side of the film. Both chitosan and cellulose films had a homogeneous structure. There were differences in the microstructure between the top and the bottom of the sample in the cellulose film, a factor that affected the contact angle and thus the wettability of the surface

Badania przyspieszonego starzenia wybranych folii handlowych

The Arrhenius method was used to investigate the effect of accelerated aging conditions on the physical and mechanical properties of polymer films for technical, medical, food and office applications. Temperature and UV radiation were taken into account as environmental factors. It was shown that the tested films are more sensitive to thermal degradation than UV radiation. The reduction in tensile strength after thermal aging does not exceed 40%, and in the case of UV radiation, 14%. The estimated lifetime of the tested films is over 5 years.Metodą Arrheniusa zbadano wpływ warunków przyspieszonego starzenia na właściwości fizyko-mechaniczne folii polimerowych do zastosowań technicznych, medycznych, spożywczych i biurowych. Jako czynniki środowiskowe uwzględniono temperaturę i promieniowanie UV. Wykazano, że badane folie są bardziej wrażliwe na degradację termiczną niż promieniowanie UV. Zmniejszenie wytrzymałości na rozciąganie po starzeniu termicznym nie przekracza 40%, a w przypadku promieniowania UV, 14%. Oszacowany czas życia badanych folii wynosi ponad 5 lat

Modification of Cellulose Products by the Use of Chitosan and Chitosan-Alginate Nano-Particles

Aim of the presented research was the improvement of fibrous cellulosic products for uses in hygiene and medical sectors. Nano-particles of bioactive polysaccharides were imparted to cellulosic fibrous products to modify their properties: physical–chemical like absorption, biological like antibacterial and antifungal activity, and mechanical. Fibrous materials like dressing gauze, wood-wool, and hygiene tissues were modified by the addition of chitosan and chitosan-alginate nano-particles. Padding and freeze-drying was applied in the coating of the fibrous materials with the nano-sized polymers