Precision Medicine in Aortic Anastomosis: A Numerical and Experimental Study of a Novel Double-Sided Needle

Abstract

Background: Hand-sewn anastomosis is a crucial part of aortic reconstruction surgery and significantly affects its outcome. The present study presents a novel, bidirectional surgical needle aimed to improve aortic anastomosis in terms of speed and ease of use. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of the new design in comparison with the conventional needle. Methods: A series of simulations were conducted with COMSOL software in order to perform a fatigue comparative analysis between the new and the conventional needle design. Ease of penetration into a piece of polydimethylsiloxane was evaluated. Lastly, the prototype was tested under in-vitro conditions in comparison with the conventional needle. Results: Based on fatigue analysis, the new needle design improves durability, provided the two tips are equally used. The polytetrafluoroethylene coating improves penetration into the tissue by 7% to 17%, while electropolishing improves penetration up to 19%. When using the novel needle design, the average anastomotic task completion time was significantly reduced by 22% and the overall distance of hand movements was significantly reduced by 20%. Conclusions: The proposed design exhibited a shorter anastomotic time and seems promising in relation to ease of use and simplicity of the anastomotic technique it introduces.

Therapeutic Targets and Personalized Medicine in Cardiac Disease

“…Another aspect explored in this Special Issue includes new and improved equipment design aiding the advancement of precision medicine. In particular, Manolesou et al [8] describe the development and preclinical assessment of a novel bidirectional needle for aortic surgery. Aortic aneurysm repair by hand-sewn anastomosis is technically challenging, and several factors, including the stability of the surgeon's hand and posture, as well as the needle angle and entry/exit pathway curve, can affect the outcome of this surgical procedure.…”

“…The proposed bidirectional needle design resulted in shorter anastomosis completion times and improved surgical precision. Factors such as enhanced needle durability and tissue penetration also contribute to its effectiveness [8]. The future application of such tools in the clinical setting represents yet another path toward fulfilling the promise of precision medicine.…”

The efficiency of removing heavy metal ions from industrial electropolishing wastewater using natural materials

“…This process is designed to change the surface properties of an object in order to improve its aesthetic value by smoothing and making the surface glossy and at the same time increasing its corrosion resistance 12,[15][16][17][18][19] . This method has many applications including food, automotive, and medical industries [20][21][22] . Typical electroplating plants produce large amounts of wastewater generated during the rinsing of workpieces.…”