Juliana Cruz

Designing artificial anterior cruciate ligaments based on novel fibrous structures

The present paper reports the development of novel braided structures using polyamide 6.6 fibers for application as artificial anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs). The developed structures were circular braids, axially reinforced with either a number of core yarns or braided structures. Tensile behavior of these structures was characterized and the effects of number of axial yarns or braids and, the number of yarns used in the axial braids were thoroughly investigated. From the experimental results, it was observed that the braided structures with axial braids could mimic the load-elongation behaviour of native ACL. The average breaking extension and strain at toe region were 30 % and 4.3 % respectively, which are in the range of native ACLs. The maximum breaking force and stiffness achieved with 7 axial braids, each produced using 6 yarns were 274 N and 13.5 N/mm respectively and, both breaking force and stiffess showed linear increase with the number of axial braids as well as number of yarns used in the axial braids. Therefore, it is possible to design an artificial graft using these novel braided sturctures with mechanical properties similar to that of native ACLs, through adjustment of these structural parameters, as these braided structures have much smaller diameter (0.5 mm) than native ACLs (11 mm).

Satisfaction with a therapeutic sleeve for arm lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment: Controlled crossover trial

HighlightsSecondary lymphedema is a late iatrogenic side effect of breast cancer treatment.Despite multimodal decongestive therapy in their daily life breast cancer survivors with lymphedema have few alternatives but to use a compressive sleeve.Concerned with the well‐known low compliance to the daily use of traditional sleeves, we conducted a comparative study to evaluate the subjective assessment of an innovative class 1 compression sleeve.We concluded that the PRADEX® sleeve, not being worse in its compressive efficacy, is much better with regard to patient comfort. Abstract Secondary arm lymphedema is a feared late iatrogenic side effect of breast cancer survivors with a negative impact on patients self‐image and quality of life. Its reported incidence is extremely variable, from 6% to 80%, as well as the effectiveness of the multimodal decongestive lymphedema therapy. In their daily life breast cancer survivors with lymphedema have few alternatives but to use a compressive sleeve. Concerned with the well‐known low compliance to the daily use of traditional sleeves, we conducted a comparative study in a subgroup of our patients with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment for the subjective assessment of PRADEX®, an innovative class 1 compression sleeve. Secondarily, we aimed to assess the non‐inferiority of PRADEX® regarding subjective and objective measures of the severity of lymphedema. We studied 46 women with grade 1 secondary arm lymphedema, who used their usual sleeve and PRADEX® daily for 2 weeks each, in a crossover design. The new therapeutic sleeve was classified as having a better design and a better usability and comfort (more comfortable, thinner, fresher, softer, more flexible, comfortable, resistant to dirt and easier to dress and to wear). Womens subjective opinion about the severity of lymphedema favored their usual sleeve in detriment of PRADEX®, but this subjective feeling was contradicted by objective measurements of different perimeters of the arm at the beginning and at the end of the study. We concluded that the PRADEX® sleeve, not being worse in its compressive therapeutic efficacy, is much better with regard to patient comfort.