A hexapod strut at the University of Wyoming currently exhibits high resonant modes at 3 kHz and above. To reduce these resonant peaks, the current aluminum rod of one of the struts was redesigned. A graphite/epoxy granularly filled composite tube was designed and incorporated into the strut. Reduction in the resonant peaks of up to 32 dB's was achieved. Six of the above mentioned composite tubes were fabricated and incorporated into the hexapod. Testing showed considerable improvement in overall damping for the hexapod.
Composite hydroxylapatite/plaster of Paris implants, preformed or formed during the surgical implantation procedure, are undergoing study for the surgical reconstruction of craniofacial bones. It is frequently necessary to accelerate setting times of the hydroxylapatite/plaster (HA/PP) mixtures by the addition of potassium sulfate; in many of these cases rapid delivery of the moistened implant mixture to the surgical site may be achieved by employing a non-tapered syringe with a plunger. This device can facilitate implantation of quick-setting moistened mixtures through soft tissue tunnels or small incisions, and can result in a less invasive surgical procedure. During experimental surgery it was found beneficial to effect maximum compression of the moistened HA/PP mixture against a sterile glass plate prior to its extrusion from the cylinder. This resulted in elimination of excess water from the mixture. Discs formed from compressed mixtures showed greater mechanical or breaking strengths after setting than discs formed without prior compression when evaluated with a Stokes Hardness-Tester. Examination by light and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the greater compactness of the compressed mixtures.
Plaster of Paris (calcium sulfate hemihydrate, CaSO4. ½ H2O) has been used as a biomedical implant material since 1892. One of the primary limiting factors of these implants is their mechanical properties. These materials have low compressive and tensile strengths when compared to normal bone. These are important limiting factors where large biomechanical forces exist. Previous work has suggested that sterilization techniques could affect the implant’s strength. A study of plaster of Paris implant mechanical and physical properties to find optimum sterilization techniques therefore, could lead to a significant increase in their application and promise for future use as hard tissue prosthetic materials.USG Medical Grade Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate Types A, A-1 and B, were sterilized by dry heat and by gamma radiation. Types A and B were additionally sterilized with and without the setting agent potassium sulfate (K2SO4). The plaster mixtures were then moistened with a minimum amount of water and formed into disks (.339 in. diameter x .053 in. deep) in polyethylene molds with a microspatula. After drying, the disks were fractured with a Stokes Hardness Tester. The compressive strengths of the disks were obtained directly from the hardness tester. Values for the maximum tensile strengths σo were then calculated: where (P = applied compression, D = disk diameter, and t = disk thickness). Plaster disks (types A and B) that contained no setting agent showed a significant loss in strength with either dry heat or gamma radiation sterilization. Those that contained potassium sulfate (K2SO4) did not show a significant loss in strength with either sterilization technique. In all comparisons (with and without K2SO4 and with either dry heat or gamma radiation sterilization) the type B plaster had higher compressive and tensile strengths than that of the type A plaster. The type A-1 plaster however, which is specially modified for accelerated setting, was comparable to that of type B with K2SO4 in both compressive and tensile strength (Table 1).
Composites of plaster of Paris (PP) and hydroxylapatite (HA) particles are being applied for the surgical reconstruction of craniofacial bone defects and for cosmetic surgery. Two types of HA particles are being employed, the dense sintered ceramic (DHA) and the porous, coralline hydroxylapatite (PHA) particles. Excess water is expressed out of the moistened HA/PP mixture prior to implantation and setting by pressing it in a non-tapered syringe against a glass plate. This results in implants with faster setting times and greater mechanical strengths. It was therefore of interest to compare samples of the compressed versus noncompressed mixtures to see whether or not any changes in their microstructure after setting could be related to these different properties.USG Medical Grade Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate (which has the lowest mortar consistency of any known plaster) was mixed with an equal weight of Interpore 200 particles (a commercial form of PHA). After moistening with a minimum amount of water, disc-shaped noncompressed samples were made by filling small holes (0.339 in. diameter x 0.053 in. deep) in polypropylene molds with a microspatula.
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