Among the various techniques of sheet hydroforming, hydrodynamic deep drawing assisted by radial pressure (HDDRP) has showed good results to shape parts with uniform thickness distribution and high drawing ratio. In this paper, improving formability of the parts in HDDRP is taken into consideration and the effects of some geometrical parameters such as the die profile radius and the gap between the die and the blank holder, and some process parameters such as pressure path and friction coefficient are investigated on thickness distribution of cylindrical cups and punch force. The pressure path has a great effect on the formability. The results showed that increasing the maximum pressure reduces part thinning in the critical regions. Increasing the pressure above a certain value does not have a significant effect on the part forming, but it increases the punch force. The most appropriate pressure path for forming the part studied in this paper is 27 MPa. Furthermore, thinning of the part and maximum punch force decreases by decreasing the friction between the sheet and blank holder. Moreover, increasing the friction coefficient between the punch and sheet to a certain value (0.2) improves forming condition that results in decreasing thinning of the part. Increasing the friction coefficient more than this value does not have a significant effect on forming the part. Friction between the punch and the sheet does not affect the maximum punch force. The results also illustrated that by increasing the gap between the blank holder and the die to 1.2 mm which is more than the thickness of the sheet, thickness reduction of the part and maximum punch force decreases. Increasing the gap above this value does not have a significant effect on ease of sheet flow and improving part formability.
Objective
To evaluate the performance of an endoscopic 3‐mm electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device (EBVS) intended for single use after multiple use‐and‐resterilization cycles.
Study design
Ex vivo study.
Sample population
Eight 3‐mm EBVS handpieces.
Methods
Handpieces were subjected to a maximum of 15 cycles of testing, including simulated surgery, sealing and burst pressure testing of porcine carotid arteries, reprocessing, and hydrogen peroxide plasma resterilization. Failure was defined as two sequential vascular seal leakage events occurring at <250 mm Hg. Histological evaluation, maximum external temperature of the jaws, sealing time, tissue adherence, jaw surface characterization, and mechanical deterioration were studied. Failure rate was analyzed by using a Kaplan–Meier curve. Linear and ordinal logistic mixed models were used to analyze sealing time, handpiece jaw temperature, and adherence score.
Results
Mean ± SD diameter of arteries was 3.22 ± 0.35 mm. Failure was observed starting at cycle 10 and going up to cycle 13 in 37.5% (3/8) of the handpieces. Tissue adherence increased after each cycle (P < .001). Maximum external temperature (79.8°C ± 13.9°C) and sealing time (1.8 ± 0.5 seconds) were not significantly different throughout cycles up to failure. A flatter surface and large scratches were observed microscopically throughout the jaw surface after repeated use and resterilization.
Conclusion
The 3‐mm EBVS handpiece evaluated in this study can be considered safe to use for up to nine reuse‐and‐resterilization cycles.
Clinical significance
These data provide the basis for establishing preliminary guidelines for the reuse and hydrogen peroxide plasma resterilization of an endoscopic 3‐mm EBVS handpiece.
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