Abstract
This report constitutes the second part of a series of comprehensive investigations to develop techniques for intraoperative laser processing of synthetic surgical sutures(1). Laser welding for thermoplastic sutures has been reported in the first part(2). The second part deals with CO2 laser cutting of nylon, Dexon and Vicryl sutures. Experimental data have indicated a laser power-exposure time relationship of the forms P=K/_??_ and ΔTm=KP_??_ (ΔTm=temperature rise to the melting point ) for approximately 100%cutting frequency threshold for the sutures. (Fig.2) Results have fundamentally agreed with theoretically derived thermal models as shown in Fig.3.
These equations have been used to generate the family of isothermal curves, which can predict laser cutting threshold for various ambient temperatures. (Fig.4) These investigations provide informations pertinent to the proper choice of parameters for laser applications on surgical sutures. Some trials have proved practical applicability of the technique for clinical surgery.