Biomechanical analysis of the FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Devices
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Traditional steel-wire sternal closure can lead to complications such as postoperative pain, bony cut-through, and wound dehiscence.
• The FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device is introduced as a potential solution to mitigate these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the mechanical superiority of the FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device.
• To compare the biomechanical properties of the FlatWire device against conventional steel wire sternal repair.

Main Methods:

• Biomechanical testing of both FlatWire and steel wire constructs.
• Pull-to-failure, Hertzian contact, and cut-through analyses were performed.
• Cyclic testing up to 500,000 cycles or failure, with statistical analysis using log-rank t tests and Student's t tests.

Main Results:

• FlatWire constructs exhibited superior biomechanical properties across all tested categories.
• The device demonstrated enhanced performance in pull-to-failure, Hertzian contact, and cut-through tests compared to steel wire.

Conclusions:

• The FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device offers improved biomechanical performance over conventional steel wire.
• These enhanced properties suggest a potential for reduced sternal wound complications in patients undergoing sternotomy.