Characterization of compression behaviors of Acupoint Catgut-embedding monofilaments for the human body: A test method of monofilaments by the three-point bending model

Abstract

Acupoint Catgut-embedding therapy (ACET) is considered an advanced method for the treatment of juvenile pseudomyopia. However, the existing test methods of ACE monofilaments cannot meet the desire for accurate measurement and convenient operation. This paper presents a study of the compression behaviors of ACE monofilaments developed for the human body. To investigate a convenient and accurate test method for monofilaments, different materials, including polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolide acid (PGA), were designed to a curved rod shape based on the three-point bending model used in this work. Variables, including the number of winding laps, the diameter of the compression platens and the compression rate of specimens, were discussed by the platform compression method. Properties such as radial force, the compression modulus and recovery ratio were also tested and analyzed. The results revealed that the winding lap of 25r was selected as the most suitable number according to the principles of stability and accuracy. The diameter of the compression platen should be larger than the outer diameter of the specimens, due to which the diameter of 5 mm was less than expected in this work. Meanwhile, the average value of the maximum radial force (F) was PP (98.35 cN) > PLA-1 (84.67 cN) > PGA (63.68 cN) > PLA-2 (39.24 cN) > PLA-3 (20.15 cN). The compression rate of 50% should be selected as the optimum parameter. In conclusion, this test method of monofilaments was successfully developed and has a potential application for the characterization of compression behaviors of ACE monofilaments for the human body.

Ammonium hydroxide modification of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid monofilaments for acupoint catgut embedding therapy

“…Unfortunately, there is no ideal ACET material on the market, and the relevant standards are incomplete. 6…”

“…Unfortunately, there is no ideal ACET material on the market, and the relevant standards are incomplete. 6 In recent years, a variety of biodegradable materials have been widely used for ACET threads, which can be divided into natural and synthetic ACET materials according to their essential attributes. 7,8 Natural ACET materials, such as catgut 9 and collagen, 10 have many advantages including good degradability and biocompatibility, but they are easily susceptible to complications after surgery and are of low quality being essentially of protein.…”