Mechanical properties of Prolene, Ethilion and surgical steel loops

The present work demonstrates that by using computer calculation on load-deformation curves it is possible to obtain a good deal of useful information on the mechanical properties of material for suturing. The mechanical properties of Prolene, Ethilon and surgical steel loops were investigated. The testing of the loops was performed on a materials testing machine. The load deformation curves were fed into a calculator by a digitizer (Hewlett-Packard 9830 system). A number of examples are given on the practical importance of the different mechanical parameters. Further the investigation showed that the physical characteristics of the materials in Prolene and Ethilon vary with the size of the threads.