Enhancing Physio-Chemical Behaviour Of P(LLA/CL) Suture By Solvent Treatment

ABSTRACT Suture is polimeric biomaterial either in monofilament or multifilament form used in surgical application in medical and healthcare sector. The monofilament suture is very easy in handling and knot throw-down and also less risky in picking up infection. The paper described the experimental study on a recently developed resorbable monofilament copolymer of L-lactic acid and e-caprolactone [P(LLA/CL)] suture. For security of suturing, “knot-pull strength” is more important than tensile strength. The monofilament having higher denier makes it stiffer and difficult for easy knot throw-down. Using laboratory fabricated set-up, solvent treatment is given by immerging the fibre in the acetone: water mixture for different time periods. Birefringence measurement was made to study the change in the orientation of the fibre across its section. The tensile strength and knot-pull strength results of the treated fibres are compared to show enhancement in physio-chemical behaviour of the suture.