A Comparison of Suture Type: Dermabond
Liquid Adhesive vs. Traditional Sutures
Group: TA4
Hannah Zelman – Background & Hypothesis
Christine Roche – Methods & Protocol
Quang Pham – Proposed Findings & Pitfalls
Zeeshan Khan – Equipment & Budget
Department of Bioengineering
Background:
Dermabond Liquid Adhesive is used by doctors today to close superficial
wounds to the skin. It is applied as a thin layer of ‘purple glue’ over the
wound while the doctor holds the skin together. Dermabond forms a strong
but flexible bond over the area to which it is applied and protects the wound
from infection-causing bacteria. BioBrane is a biosynthetic wound dressing
which, in this experiment, serves as a substitute for human skin.
Hypothesis(es) & Aim(s) or Objective(s):
The purpose of this experiment is to compare the responses of Dermabond
and traditional sutures to stress by applying various masses to BioBrane
samples reconnected with one of the two methods. It is hypothesized that
the Dermabond samples will exhibit less vertical deformation than the suture
samples in the gap between the connected pieces of BioBrane.
Department of Bioengineering
Hannah Zelman
Methods & Protocol:
• Ten 7/8 x 2 inch BioBrane samples divided length-wise into 7 equal
segments. Cut through each sample along the forth line.
• Suture four samples together using 100% cotton thread with each
sample containing three equally spaced pulley stitches.
• Apply 2 layers of Dermabond (one minute apart) over the 7/8 inch width
of the remaining four samples. Keep stationary three minutes.
• Clamp top and bottom of Sample #1 to the system with each clamp
covering ¼ inch. Take picture of sample.
• Attach individual masses of 100, 250, 500 & 1000 grams to bottom
clamp taking a picture after the system has equilibrated following the
addition of each mass. Repeat for Samples #2 - #8.
• Measure segment vertical deformation using BE310 Camera VI.
Determine stronger connective method by comparing mean ± SD.
Analyze difference between methods with two-tailed paired t-test.
Compare axial strains in both methods for Middle Section.
Department of Bioengineering
Christine Roche
Proposed Deliverables/Findings:
•The application of Dermabond to the sample will provide a stronger
hold between two pieces of BioBrane than a pulley suture. (Figure A
below provides a graphical example using predicted data based on
earlier experiment.)
Figure A
Department of Bioengineering
Quang Pham
Potential Pitfalls:
•Stretching of the BioBrane material could cause:
1. Negligible gap to be produced from applied stress.
2. Material to break under the applied stress before any measurements
could be recorded.
•The stress-bearing capacity of Dermabond might have been
overestimated and the application of the adhesive to BioBrane could be
ineffective in holding two pieces of the material together under applied
stress.
Alternative Approach: The interwoven white material used in Experiment 5
can be substituted for BioBrane. Based on previous results, this material
will undergo minimal deformation, allowing for any measured deformation
in the sample to be attributed to the suture/Dermabond connection.
Department of Bioengineering
Quang Pham
Equipment/Materials and Budget & Justification:
Equipment:
1. BE310 Camera VI (to take pictures of the equilibrated system and
measure the length of the gap)
2. Weights of different masses (to cause vertical deformation in the system
Supplies:
1. Thread and needles (to make sutures)
Newly Purchased Equipment:
1. BioBrane 5 x 5” box of 5 (substitute for skin, more uniform in structure
leading to constant deformation throughout sample)
price: $245.00 (www.allegromedical.com)
2. Dermabond (substitute for sutures)
price: $46.95 (www.chinookmed.com)
Total Cost of purchasing new materials is $291.95 which is well under the
budget constraint of $2,000, and the number of samples which can be
made from one box of BioBrane are enough for ten trials.
All products are easily available from the websites mentioned at the
quoted prices. Taxes and shipping charges may apply.
Department of Bioengineering
Zeeshan Khan