Cable Ties Research Articles

Biocompatible Cable Ties Are an Alternative to Metal Stabilizers for Bar Securement During Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Repair.

Background: Bar stabilization during minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair (MIRPE) is critical to avoid dislodgement. Multiple techniques are described including stabilizers, wires, and sutures. This retrospective study compared bar movement and outcomes between existing techniques and ZipFix™, a biocompatible cable tie. Methods: Patients ≤20 years of age who underwent MIRPE with ZipFix between January 2021 and September 2022 were compared with historical controls who underwent repair by same surgeons between January 2018 and December 2020 using stabilizers or polydioxanone suture (PDS). Demographics, clinical details, and outcomes were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests. Results: Of the 116 patients who underwent repair, 45 had bars secured with ZipFix (39%) and 71 (61%) were historical controls (35 stabilizer, 36 PDS). Median (interquartile range) age was 15 (14-16) years and Haller index was 3.9 (3.6-4.5). Nine (8%) patients required two bars. Haller index and use of second bar were comparable between stabilization techniques (P > .05). In total, 49 patients (40%) reported any pain at 1 month and this was similar between stabilization techniques (P = .45). Median bar movement was greater for bars secured with PDS than with ZipFix or stabilizers at 1 month (5.5 versus 2.3 versus 3.3°, P = .010) and last follow-up (6.5 versus 2.1 versus 3.6°, P < .001). One patient whose bar was secured with PDS required revision for dislodgement. Conclusion: Pectus bar stabilization with ZipFix is a safe alternative to metal stabilizers and both techniques are superior to suture stabilization alone. The use of ZipFix may be preferred given its lower cost and ease of use.

Fastening the Future: Surgical Zip Ties for Enhanced Wound Closure and Patient Well-Being

Surgical zip tie skin closures are emerging as a revolutionary approach in wound management, promising significant advancements in patient safety and surgical success. Current research emphasizes the efficacy of zip tie closures in promoting wound healing, reducing the risk of dehiscence, and enhancing cosmetic outcomes across various surgical procedures. Compared to traditional suturing techniques, zip tie closures offer secure wound approximation, minimize tension on wound edges, and contribute to faster recovery times with lower incidences of infection and scarring. Case studies and clinical trials demonstrate the effectiveness of these closures, emphasizing their role in improving surgical outcomes. Future investigations should focus on optimizing zip tie design and material properties to ensure compatibility with different skin types and surgical sites. Innovations in biodegradable and antimicrobial materials could further enhance the utility and applications of zip ties. The potential for using zip tie closures in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries offers precision and ease of use in complex procedures. Multidisciplinary collaboration between surgeons, engineers, and biomaterial scientists is essential for refining zip tie closure systems, conducting clinical trials, and establishing standardized protocols for integration into routine surgical practice. Addressing challenges related to material biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and user ergonomics will be essential for navigating challenges and limitations. Ultimately, the adoption of surgical zip tie skin closures has the potential to revolutionize wound management and improve patient care, setting new standards in surgical care through innovation and evidence-based practice.

Ischemic Preconditioning in Pedicled Flap Division: A Cost-Effective Innovative Zip Tie Approach

Ischemic Preconditioning in Pedicled Flap Division: A Cost-Effective Innovative Zip Tie Approach

Comment: "Cable Ties: Poor Man's Top Closure System".

Comment: "Cable Ties: Poor Man's Top Closure System".

Advanced Orotracheal Tube Fixation Techniques in Severe Burn Patients: Innovations from a Chilean Hospital

Since its foundation, the Hospital Emergency Public Assistance in Santiago, Chile, has been the national reference center for managing severe burn patients. In 2007, more than 6,000 hospital admissions for burns were registered in Chile due to the severity of the clinical condition. These patients must be treated in intensive care units. Therefore, the use of orotracheal tubes is essential for its management. The correct stabilization of these devices avoids complications or airway risks. In the Major Burn Unit, cotton cloth restraints and transpore-type adhesives are used on the user's face, but in patients with facial territory compromise, these cause tissue damage; due to this, the Dental Unit has innovative techniques of orotracheal tube fixation, using stainless steel and plastic wire ties, which have allowed to reduce the risks of extubation and accidental displacement of the tube, improving its stability. This work describes the technique used in orotracheal tube fixation in two patients with severe burns, performed by the Dental Unit of the Hospital Emergency Public Assistance, Dr. Alejandro del Río, Chile.

Cable ties in forensic practice.

Cable or zip ties are mass produced inexpensive nylon fasteners, which have a locking mechanism to prevent them from being loosened. Their use in medicolegal cases is infrequent, being involved in situations of neck compression or restraint. The Forensic Science SA Pathology Database (in Adelaide, Australia) and search engines PubMed, Google Scholar and Google were examined for cases where cable ties were documented as either causing death or being potentially lethal, being a contributor to death, or having been used for restraint purposes. Neck compression resulting in ligature strangulation was found in cases of homicide and suicide in adults. Accidental neck compression was rarely reported in children. Cases of restraint again occurred in both homicides and suicides, with nonlethal wrist restraint being used by law enforcement officers in lieu of traditional handcuffs. Cable ties may also be used to fasten ligatures to suspension points in case of hanging. Despite their ready availability, cable ties are only relatively rarely involved in medicolegal cases. More traditional forms of manual or ligature neck compression are still favoured possibly because they require less dexterity.

Dust phase and window film phase phthalates in dormitories: profile characteristics, source screening, and estimated gas-phase concentration and dermal exposure comparison.

Recently, phthalate exposure has become a major public health concern. However, gaps still remain in our understanding of phthalate profile characteristics, source screening, and gas-phase estimation. This study measured phthalate concentrations in dust and window films in 101 dormitories at 13 universities in Beijing, China, from October to December 2019. Based on the phthalate concentrations in the dust and window films, we estimated the gas-phase phthalate concentrations using steady-state and instantaneous equilibrium models, respectively, and male and female students' dermal exposure using the Monte Carlo simulation. Commonly used materials and supplies were screened for phthalate sources and evaluated using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The results showed that the detection frequency of ten phthalates ranged from 79.2 to 100% in dust and from 84.2 to 100% in window films. Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were the most abundant phthalates in both indoor media and were also predominant in the indoor materials and supplies. The PMF results indicated that the potential sources of phthalates in dust and window films had both similarities and differences. Indoor door seals, paint, coatings, cables, air-conditioning rubber cable ties, wallpaper, and window seals were highly probable sources of phthalates. The gas-phase phthalate concentrations estimated using the two methods differed, especially for phthalates with high octanol-air partition coefficients (Koa), varying by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Moreover, compared with related studies, the gas-phase concentrations were significantly underestimated for phthalates with high Koa values, while the estimated gas-phase concentrations of phthalates with low Koa values were closer to the measured values. The estimated dermal exposure using the two methodologies also considerably differed. Such findings suggest that more attention should be focused on the exposure risk from the dust phase and window film phase phthalates.

Surgical Strategy for Sternal Closure in Patients with Surgical Myocardial Revascularization Using Mammary Arteries.

Coronary artery bypass grafting has evolved from all venous grafts to bilateral mammary artery (BIMA) grafting. This was possible due to the long-term patency of the left and right internal mammary demonstrated in angiography studies compared to venous grafts. However, despite higher survival rates when using bilateral mammary arteries, multiple studies report a higher rate of surgical site infections, most notably deep sternal wound infections, a so-called "never event". We designed a prospective study between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 and included all patients proposed for total arterial myocardial revascularization in order to investigate the rate of surgical site infections (SSI). Chest closure in all patients was performed using a three-step protocol. The first step refers to sternal closure. If the patient's BMI is below 35 kg/m2, sternal closure is achieved using the "butterfly" technique with standard steel wires. If the patient's BMI exceeds 35 kg/m2, we use nitinol clips or hybrid wire cable ties according to the surgeon's preference for sternal closure. The main advantages of these systems are a larger implant-to-bone contact with a reduced risk of bone fracture. The second step refers to presternal fat closure with two resorbable monofilament sutures in a way that the edges of the skin perfectly align at the end. The third step is skin closure combined with negative pressure wound therapy. This system was applied to 217 patients. A total of 197 patients had bilateral mammary artery grafts. We report only 13 (5.9%) superficial SSI and only one (0.46%) deep SSI. The preoperative risk of major wound infection was 3.9 +/- 2.7. Bilateral mammary artery grafting was not associated with surgical site infection in a univariate analysis. We believe this strategy of sternal wound closure can reduce the incidence of deep surgical site infection when two mammary arteries are used in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Study Of Various Types Of Pvd And Ph.D. Joints On Vertical Drainage Performance

An important factor for increasing the effectiveness of the PVD (Prefabricated Vertical Drains) is the value of sufficient discharge capacity so that the PVD can work optimally. The use of PVD is usually accompanied by the use of PHD (Prefabricated Horizontal Drains) as horizontal drainage and combined with preloading. In the field, the connection is made by winding the PVD to the PHD and then tying it with cable ties. The connection system can cause deformation at the top of the PVD thereby reducing the effectiveness of the PVD discharge capacity. This study aims to find the optimal PVD-PHD connection system for the discharge capacity which is affected by confinement pressure, overburden pressure, and hydraulic gradient with a PVD-PHD connection system discharge capacity tester. The test specimens used were PVD (5mm thick; 100mm wide) and Ph.D. (20 mm thick; wide: 100 mm, 200mm, and 300mm). 4 types of connection systems have been tried, namely connections A1 and A2 where the PHD is connected in a horizontal position, and connections B1 and B2 where the PHD is connected in a vertical position. Of the four connection systems B1, the connection system has the largest discharge capacity value and a significant increase in PHD width from 100 mm to 300 mm with an increase of 7.694% at 50 kPa overburden pressure and 1.0 hydraulic gradient the highest compared to other connection types

Nylon cable ties–assisted delay primary closure of fasciotomy wound in patients of forearm compartment syndrome

Abstract Background Forearm compartment syndrome is a rare condition that requires forearm fasciotomy to release compartment pressure. In most cases, there is little to no skin damage initially, but after the fasciotomy, the skin flap may gradually retract. Traditional methods for reconstructing fasciotomy wounds, such as skin grafts or flaps, often result in an unpleasant appearance and require donor sites. Materials and Methods We present a method using nylon cable ties for delayed primary closure of forearm fasciotomy wounds. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent fasciotomy of forearms for compartment syndrome and nylon cable ties–assisted closure in a medical center from January 2017 to December 2022. Results Of the 7 eligible patients, 4 suffered from compartment syndrome of the forearm because of iatrogenic vascular rupture after procedures, whereas the other reasons included open-type fracture and fasciitis. For all the patients, nylon cable ties were applied for delayed primary wound closure after emergent fasciotomy. Six of them achieved successful wound closure by nylon cable ties without skin grafts or flaps on median day 12 (days 6–19). Only 1 patient required skin graft reconstruction after the application of nylon cable ties for 10 days. Conclusions Nylon cable ties, which are inexpensive and readily available, can be adjusted according to the different tension along the wound edges. They provide a simple, effective, and safe way to close difficult forearm fasciotomy wounds, which often result in a retracting skin flap after the procedure.

Дослідження нелінійних горизонтальних коливань слабозакріпленого вантажу при русі автомобіля

The improvement of the methods of reducing dynamic loads in the elements of self-propelled transport machines and transported goods is based on the results of the analysis of dynamic phenomena that occur during their operation, which is due to the growth of load, increase of working speeds, combination of loading and unloading operations with other technological operations, increase in productivity.&#x0D; To prevent damage and ensure traffic safety, packaging and artificial cargoes are secured in car bodies, train carriages and ship holds with wire ties, thrust and spacer bars, tying and other methods.&#x0D; But during transportation, as a result of stretching and breaking of stretch marks and pulling out of nails, goods are damaged, moving in a body, wagon or hold. Therefore, it is very important at the design stage of the fastening structure to establish the possible movement of the load, as well as to ensure it within the given limits in order to prevent damage to the load.&#x0D; The authors proposed a method of calculating load fluctuations in the body of a truck using the example of two loads of different weights. A kinematic diagram of a self-propelled transport machine with sequential elastic coupling of transported loads was built and a study of nonlinear horizontal oscillations of a loosely secured load during the movement of the vehicle was carried out.&#x0D; According to the results of the research, graphs of the dependences of the dimensionless amplitude of the weight of the load relative to other loads depending on the gap between the fasteners were constructed. Maps of regions of stable movements are constructed and the region of unstable movements of loads is shown. It is noted that although such an area of unstable movements is quite small, but under certain conditions of movement of the vehicle and weakly secured cargo, phenomena can occur that can cause a traffic accident.

Ascend launches metal-detectable cable tie compounds to streamline supply chain for customers

Ascend Performance Materials has announced the launch of pre-colored, metal-detectable Vydyne® PA66 compounds for cable ties and fasteners for industries where foreign object contamination causes health concerns and reputational damage, such as in pharmaceutical and food processing facilities. The new product reportedly meets the most stringent performance standards and should simplify the supply chain for cable tie and fastener producers.

Perioperative management of umbilical herniorrhaphy with ileal resection and anastomosis in a pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)

AbstractA 28‐year‐old 278 kg female pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) with a chronic, static umbilical hernia presented acutely for lethargy and anorexia. Ultrasonography and abdominocentesis were consistent with an incarcerated umbilical hernia. An exploratory laparotomy, ileal resection and anastomosis, and herniorrhaphy were carried out via a ventral midline incision and the hippopotamus remained hospitalised for 9 weeks postoperatively. A second surgery was necessary to debride the incision site after the primary skin closure dehisced. Improved support to skin sutures was provided using sterilised plastic cable zip ties, which were better suited to the unique skin of the hippopotamus and tension associated with the animal's size and anatomy. Incisional closure is a recognised challenge in this species and significant reinforcement is required to prevent wound dehiscence. The novel use of cable zip ties provided stability where suture material had transected the incision and should be considered in hippopotamus surgery.

P77: Improvements in the cuff and graft interface of a rotary Total Artificial Heart

Purpose: To evaluate design improvements of the inlet cuff-port and outlet graft-port interface of a Total Artificial Heart (TAH) on pannus formation. The orifice size, interface, blood flow path geometry, blood flow velocity, materials, surface finish, and hematologic parameters (such as anti-coagulants and anti-platelets) all contribute to the hemocompatibility of the TAH inflow and outflow. The focus of this work is the blood flow path geometry and material change. Methods: The performance of progressive inflow and outflow design iterations of a rotary total artificial heart operated in continuous and pulsatile outflow were evaluated in Corrient calves for durations of 30-90 days. Design modifications included a smoother blood flow port transition, geometrical improvements to the diameter and tangent angle to the polyurethane connector/pump interface, and methods of securing the connection including a titanium ring on the cuff with biospan rings and PEEK zip ties on both the cuffs and grafts. The graft flow path includes a circumferential hump which allows the titanium outflow port to seat against this hump and eliminate a void which could be a source of thrombus or emboli. Additionally, the cuff and port materials were changed. Subjects were 6-12 month old calves with weights ranging from 82 kg to 108 kg, while conditions such as pump flow, pressures and anticoagulants were closely monitored. The TAH was run in pulsatile mode for the majority of the studies. At necropsy, photos of the cuff and graft interface to the pump were analyzed and any tissue samples were sent for histological evaluation. Results: A titanium ring on the cuff prevented the cuff from pulling away from the titanium port at the ostium and also prevented the cuff from being to be pulled too far onto the port during surgery. Pannus formation at the interface of the cuff and graft to the titanium ports was graded from Absent (0) to Extreme (5), (Extreme equals >75% area reduction). In earlier design iterations, pannus formation at the inflow cuff or outflow graft interface ranged from (2) mild to (5) extreme. After implementing the design improvements, pannus was (0) absent in all inflow cuff interfaces. One graft that was not fully installed on the port had moderate buildup and the remainder had (0) absent to (1) minor at the outflow graft interface despite minimal anticoagulation. Conclusion: Improvements to the inflow cuff/outflow graft-port interface significantly reduced pannus and thrombus formation in chronic animal implants treated with limited anticoagulation.

Active restoration efforts in the Central Mexican Pacific as a strategy for coral reef recovery

Introduction: The 1997-98 El Niño event caused massive coral bleaching and mortality in the Central Mexican Pacific (CMP). Punta de Mita alone used to harbor more than 30 % of the coral coverage in this region, with a mono-specific Pocillopora coverage. The 1997-1998 ENSO event caused massive coral mortality reducing live coral coverage to &lt; 5 %. Despite being considered a coral region unlikely to recover, recent restoration efforts have been implemented to rehabilitate the coral community.&#x0D; Objective: To assess coral recovery by analyzing the coral growth and survival rates of branching Pocillopora species at Punta de Mita.&#x0D; Methods: Healthy coral fragments of opportunity were re-attached to the natural substrata using zip ties and measured considering their growth in terms of maximum length and width (cm) to determine their annual extension rates.&#x0D; Results: After 50 weeks, corals duplicated their size, with a mean growth of ~ 4 cm year-1. After 100 weeks (2 years), corals triplicated their size, increasing on average 8–9 cm in each diameter.&#x0D; Conclusions: Successful coral reef restoration activities in the Central Mexican Pacific are the result of Pocillopora’s physiological processes, such as fast growth rates, and recent life-history traits, like the ability to cope with thermal anomalies, which enable them to thrive in a dynamic region severely affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Indeed, a region considered unlikely to recover has regained its live coral cover from &lt; 5 % in 1998 up to 15 % in 20 years. This demonstrates the importance of assisting natural coral recovery with restoration efforts, especially in coral locations that, despite environmental perturbations, have proven to be resilient and may become coral refugia areas under the current climate change scenario.

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A novel simulation model for tube thoracostomy.

Tube thoracostomy is a life-saving procedure that must be performed competently and expeditiously by emergency care providers. The primary objective of this project was to develop a simple, easily-reproducible, and realistic simulation model for tube thoracostomy placement by learners of emergency medicine. This chest tube simulator utilizes two slabs of pork ribs with associated intercostal muscle and fascial planes to aid learners in identifying anatomic landmarks, palpating intercostal spaces, and performing blunt dissection in a manner that approximates human anatomy. Holes are cut on both sides of a 1.8-bushel capacity rectangular plastic clothing hamper, and rib slabs are secured to the hamper with zip ties or metal wire. A bed pillow with plastic cover is then placed inside of the plastic hamper to simulate lung tissue. The rib-hamper complex is then wrapped with cellophane or elastic compression bandages to further anchor the rib slabs and simulate skin and subcutaneous tissues. The initial cost of our thoracostomy model is approximately $50, much less than the $1,000-$3,000 cost for a commercial model. Although the hamper and pillow can be reused an indefinite number of times, the other components of our model must be replaced occasionally. Assuming a lifespan of 1,000 uses, our model costs approximately $1.78 per attempt, compared to $4.00 per attempt with the cheapest commercial mannequin system. In fact, assuming a longer useful lifespan for the mannequin does not substantially improve this comparison (e.g. $3.10 versus $1.77 per attempt for a 10,000 attempt lifespan for the commercial mannequin), largely due to the higher cost of commercial replacement skin pads when compared to the components consumed in our model with each attempt. We describe a porcine thoracostomy model that simulates the look and feel of human ribs for purposes of tube thoracostomy training, although it could also be used for thoracentesis and thoracotomy simulation. This model is relatively cheap (costing around $50) and easy to produce within a few minutes utilizing commonly-available materials. Further study is needed to determine whether an inexpensive model like ours provides the same educational value as more expensive commercial mannequin models.

ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN MEMAHAMI SUMBU AFINITAS MENGGUNAKAN MAGIC STRAWS PADA MATERI IRISAN BIDANG PADA BANGUN RUANG

Learning material about plane slices in geometric shapes has prerequisite material for the affinity axis. An understanding of the affinity axis can be done with the help of magic straws. The purpose of this study is to provide alternative media to provide an understanding of the affinity axis for students who are constrained by limited computer equipment or computer equipment that is not qualified to install application programs that support learning. This research is a qualitative research. The instruments of this study were observation sheets on the ability to understand the affinity axis and interview guidelines for using magic straws in understanding the affinity axis. Data analysis technique is using data analysis techniques Miles and Huberman. The use of magic straws affects students' abilities regarding the affinity axis, the abilities obtained are students understanding 1) the concept of points that are in a plane, 2) to get an affinity axis, two points that are in a plane that can be connected, 3) a point can be connected with a point of yield an extension of the rib that is still in line with that point, the 4 affinity axes are not only on the base plane, but can also be on the top plane. There are several things that need to be considered, namely 1) selecting straight/not curved pipes when making cubes, 2) using cable ties to mark dots on the ribs so they don't interfere with the student's point of view, 3) when pulling two dots use mattress thread tightly/not loosely, 4) when you have obtained a plane section in the geometric shape, shade the section by connecting it using a mattress thread to the inside of the plane.

Wire Harness Assembly Process Supported by a Collaborative Robot: A Case Study Focus on Ergonomics

Products and assets are becoming increasingly “smart”, e.g., mechatronic, electronic, or cyber-physical. In the lack of fully reliable wireless solutions, extensive wiring and wire bundling into wire harnesses are needed. This has manufacturing implications, leading to increasingly complex wire harness assembly processes, where numerous components, connectors, and cables are assembled, connecting critical and non-critical electric and electronic systems in smart products and assets. Thus, wire harnesses demand is rapidly rising in most industries, requiring human or robotic work. Often, required work tasks are repetitive and physically demanding, while still needing people for quality reasons. An attractive solution would therefore be humans collaborating with robots. Unfortunately, there are very few scientific studies on automation solutions using collaborative robots (cobots) for wire harness assembly process tasks to increase process productivity and improve work ergonomics. Furthermore, wire harness assembly process tasks are presently carried out 90% manually in this industry, causing serious ergonomic problems for assembly workers who perform such tasks daily. The challenge is reducing the ergonomic risks currently present in many established wire harness assembly processes while improving production time and quality. This paper presents an early prototype and simulation to integrate a cobot into a wire harness assembly process, primarily for work ergonomic improvements. The use of a cobot is specifically proposed to reduce ergonomic risks for wire harness assembly workers. Two methodologies: RULA and JSI were used to evaluate the ergonomics of the task of cable tie collocation. The real-world case study results illustrate the validation of a cobot which significantly reduced non-ergonomic postures in the task of placing cable ties in the wire harnesses assembly process studied. An ergonomic analysis without the cobot (the actual process) was conducted, based on RULA and JSI methodologies, presenting the highest possible scores in both evaluations, which calls for urgent changes in the current wire harness assembly process task studied. Then, the same analysis was performed with the cobot, obtaining significant reductions in the ergonomic risks of the task at hand to acceptable values.

Application of tail transmitters for tracking feral horses as an alternative to radio collars

AbstractRadio collars have been used to examine the spatial ecology of all North American ungulates, but are rarely used on feral horses due to concerns that they may cause injury. Due to public concerns for animal welfare, an alternative to radio collars for tracking feral horses, particularly stallions, over the short term would be useful. We developed a method of attaching a global positioning system (GPS) transmitter to feral horse tails, and provide step by step instructions so that others may apply this method. We braided the tail and affixed a transmitter tag to the braid with epoxy, cable ties, and an attachment cord run through the braid. Between 2016 and 2017 we fitted 114 VHF or VHF‐GPS tags in the tails of free‐roaming feral horses in western Utah. From when tags were fitted to September 2020 tag retention time ranged from &lt;1 to 36 months (n = 111, mean = 8.50 ± SD 6.39 months). We found that our braided, tail‐mounted transmitter tags can provide a viable alternative to radio collars for meeting shorter‐term data collection needs once data transmission difficulties are overcome.