• Transactions of the KSME C: Technology and Education
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.167-177
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• 2013

The use of mechanical anastomosis coupler instead of sutures has been increasing in microvascular anastomosis surgery. However, non-biodegradable anastomosis coupler has problems such as not only inflammatory reaction but also remaining permanently in operation wound. Therefore, we fabricated biodegradable anastomosis coupler using injection molding process to overcome the limitation of non-biodegradable anastomosis coupler. In various injection molding process conditions, the shrinkage was calculated with different cylinder temperatures and injection molding pressures and anastomotic strength was measured. As a result, changes in shrinkage hole part larger than the pin part. In addition, the shrinkage in the cylinder at higher temperatures increase. However, the higher the injection pressure, shrinkage tends to decrease, respectively. In-vitro degradation behavior of PCL anastomotic coupler evaluated for 12 weeks, water uptake was increased and molecular weight was accompanied by a reduction in mass of the biological degradation and reduction of anastomotic strength was confirmed. However, decreased levels of anastomotic strength enough to exceed the requirements of preclinical surgery, PCL microvascular anastomosis coupler suitable candidate materials that could identify.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1139-1145
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• 2011

An automated anastomotic ring-pin system consisting of both the anastomotic ring-pin system and the coupler device has eliminated the drawbacks of the suture method. High density polyethylene (HDPE), a material with outstanding biocompatibility and injection molding capability, was used in the ring. SUS316 stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4Nb, Ti-6Al-4V, and unalloyed titanium were used in FEM simulations of the micropin. The authors categorized the microvascular anastomotic ring micropins into short neck (SN) and long neck (LN) groups in order to evaluate the effect of the micropin's fillet radius and neck length on the von Mises stress. The micropins were further divided into those with and without fillet. On the basis of the fillet radius rate (FRR), which represents the rate of change in the von Mises stress with respect to the availability and shape of the fillet, and the neck length rate (NLR), which represents the rate of change in the von Mises stress with respect to changes in the length of the neck within the fillet shape, it can be concluded that the SN-3 neck design is the most stable.