Surgical dynamometer to simultaneously measure the tension forces and the distance between wound edges during the closure of a laparotomy

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2018
Author
Roca Enrich, Joan
Nogués Aymamí, Miquel
Villalobos Mori, Rafael
Mias Carballal, Mª Carmen
Comellas Andrés, Martí
Gas Ruiz, Cristina
Olsina Kissler, Jorge Juan
Suggested citation
Roca Enrich, Joan; Nogués Aymamí, Miquel; Villalobos Mori, Rafael; Mias Carballal, Mª Carmen; Comellas Andrés, Martí; Gas Ruiz, Cristina; Olsina Kissler, Jorge Juan; . (2018) . Surgical dynamometer to simultaneously measure the tension forces and the distance between wound edges during the closure of a laparotomy. Sensors, 2018, vol. 18, núm. 1, p. 189. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18010189.
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Abstract
The closure of the abdominal wall after making a laparotomy is a major challenge for surgeons, since a significant percentage of closures fail and incisional hernias rise. The suture has to withstand the forces required to close the incision, while not hindering the adequate wound healing progression. Currently, there is no surgical measuring device that could be used to determine the required closing forces, which can be very different depending on the patient. This paper presents a dynamometer to measure the tension forces to be applied while closing a surgical incision, and it simultaneously measures the distance between wound edges. It is a compass-like instrument. A mechanism between the two legs incorporates a load cell, whose signal is read by an electronic device that computes the values of the tension forces between wound edges. An angular position sensor at the pin joint between legs provides the distance between both sides of the incision. Measuring capabilities of the instrument prototype were verified at the laboratory. Thereafter, its functionality was demonstrated in experimental surgery tests. Therefore, the instrument could be very useful in clinical applications, assisting personalized surgical techniques.
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http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/62674
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/s18010189
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Sensors, 2018, vol. 18, núm. 1, p. 189
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cc-by (c) Roca et al., 2018
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as cc-by (c) Roca et al., 2018