Bi-stable interlocks of sutured ABS geometries- A numerical study in Abaqus

Concrete elements, partially or entirely prefabricated are becoming more and more popular in engineering practice. The biggest challenge in this process is the realization of connections between components. These connections fall within two categories: Precast-to-precast connections with hardened parts and<br/>precast-to-in situ connections,...

A training phantom for a vesicovaginal fistula repair with the transvaginal approach

Background: In Africa, many women suffer from vesicovaginal fistulas. In this study, a phantom model for a vesicovaginal fistula repair was developed that can be produced and used in Africa, to train medical doctors in the treatment of simple fistulas by the transvaginal approach.<br/>Method of production: The phantom consists out of 3D printed...

Alternative closure method for laparoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis: Development of a surgical tool to facilitate hand suturing in minimally invasive surgery

Hand suturing is one of the most challenging tasks in laparoscopic surgery and requires high cognitive effort from the performing surgeon. Nevertheless, it is also one of the basic skills of minimally invasive surgery and it is a critical skill due to its high requirements and broad application. <br/><br/>During gastric bypass surgery, there are...

Augmented reality navigation for minimally invasive craniosynostosis surgery: a phantom study

Purpose: In minimally invasive spring-assisted craniectomy, surgeons plan the surgery by manually locating the cranial sutures. However, this approach is prone to error. Augmented reality (AR) could be used to visualize the cranial sutures and assist in the surgery planning. The purpose of our work is to develop an AR-based system to...

Design and development of the Hornet: a new suturing device for laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic suturing is one of the most difficult and time-consuming tasks in laparoscopic surgery. The long instrument shafts, two-dimensional view, and limited space for movement make simple actions, such as grasping and manipulating the needle and thread, difficult in the laparoscopic setting. To simplify the suturing process, the Hornet...

Dopamine hydrochloride and carboxymethyl chitosan coatings for multifilament surgical suture and their influence on friction during sliding contact with skin substitute

In order to reduce the damage to tissue and fill the interstices between fibers, multifilament sutures are frequently treated with certain coating materials. The objective of this study was to create and characterize dopamine hydrochloride (DA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) coatings on surgical sutures and investigate their effects on the...

Measuring Forces in Suture Techniques for Wound Closure

Background: The use of sutures remains the first choice for wound closure. However, incorrect use of a suture technique can lead to impaired healing. Many techniques are described for high-tension wounds, but not much is known about their mechanical properties. Complications of excessive tension include dehiscence, infection, and ischemic...

Competency assessment tool for laparoscopic suturing: Development and reliability evaluation

Background: Laparoscopic suturing can be technically challenging and requires extensive training to achieve competency. To date no specific and objective assessment method for laparoscopic suturing and knot tying is available that can guide training and monitor performance in these complex surgical skills. In this study we aimed to develop a...

Defining parameters for objective assessment of technical skills in a transanal purse string suture

Total Mesorectal Excision is the recommended curative surgical treatment for most cases of rectal cancer that exceed multiple layers of the bowel. For some cases a laparoscopic approach is difficult to perform. In cases of highly obese patients, or a specifically distal laying tumor. The tumor is then difficult to reach because of the funneling...

Influence of surgical suture properties on the tribological interactions with artificial skin by a capstan experiment approach

Tribological interactions between surgical suture and human tissue play an important role in the stitching process. The purpose of the paper is to understanding the tribological behavior of surgical suture interacting with artificial skin, with respect to surgical suture material and structure, by means of a capstan experiment approach and a...

Hornet Fixation Device

Laparoscopic suturing can be very time consuming and frustrating for inexperienced surgeons. It is one of the hardest actions to perform in a laparoscopic fashion, but it remains the golden standard. There are alternative fixation methods such as automatic needle passers, knot-tying devices, staplers, tackers and adhesives but they all have...

Force-based assessment of tissue handling skills

In laparoscopic surgery, special instruments with long and slender shafts are inserted through small incisions in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope is used for a clear vision inside the inflated abdominal cavity while laparoscopic graspers and cutters are used for manipulation of tissue. The use of long instruments makes it difficult to “feel”...

Suturing intraabdominal organs: When do we cause tissue damage?

It is generally assumed that safety of tissue manipulations during (laparoscopic) surgery is related to the magnitude of force that is exerted on the tissue. To provide trainees with performance feedback about tissuehandling skills, it is essential to define objective criteria for judging the safety of applied forces. To be of clinical relevance...

Developing a design for the SutureAid family of equipment , suitable for cardiovascular surgery.

Suturing has been done the same way for decades now, but it still involves a number of challenges. SutureAid took the challenge to solve these problems while suturing. This resulted in an invention: a forceps with a soft tip, a needle receptor, placed on one arm of the forceps. The aim of this soft tip is that it can both support tissue and...

Meaningful assessment method for laparoscopic suturing training in augmented reality

To be an effective training tool, a laparoscopic simulator has to provide metrics that are meaningful and informative to the trainee. Time, path length and smoothness are often used parameters, but are not very informative on the quality of the performance. This study aims to validate a newly developed assessment method for laparoscopic suturing...

Suturing training in Augmented Reality: Gaining proficiency in suturing skills faster

Background: Providing informative feedback and setting goals tends to motivate trainees to practice more extensively. Augmented Reality simulators retain the benefit of realistic haptic feedback and additionally generate objective assessment and informative feedback during the training. This study researched the performance curve of the adapted...

Transfer validity of laparoscopic knot-tying training on a VR simulator to a realistic environment: A randomized controlled trial

Background- Laparoscopic suturing is one of the most difficult tasks in endoscopic surgery, requiring extensive training. The aim of this study was to determine the transfer validity of knot-tying training on a virtual-reality (VR) simulator to a realistic laparoscopic environment. Methods- Twenty surgical trainees underwent basic eye–hand...