Electromechanical reshaping of septal cartilage

Abstract

These findings demonstrate that cartilage can be reshaped through the process we have described as "electroforming" by generating intrinsic differences in charge separation with negligible heat production.

Changes in the Tangent Modulus of Rabbit Septal and Auricular Cartilage Following Electromechanical Reshaping

“…The advantages of EMR as a cartilage reshaping technique include: (1) low component costs; (2) relatively simple device design; (3) diminished thermal threat to the tissue; and (4) controllable parameters with predictable results [9,10,21]. While previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of cartilage EMR, the mechanisms of action for the electrochemically mediated shape change effect are not completely understood.…”

“…Disruption to the internal stability of this liquid environment in cartilage that constitutes 70 to 80% of its wet weight may cause many mechanical changes [15]. In particular, such reactions may produce stress relaxation in the tissue, facilitating shape change and alteration of cartilage mechanical properties [9].…”

“…Two electrode configurations for EMR have been studied: surface and needle electrodes ( Fig. 1(b)) [9][10][11]23]. Although negligible heat generation has been demonstrated in previous studies [9], other potential compromises to native tissue properties related to EMR are present.…”

“…Another reshaping method, and the focus of this study, electromechanical reshaping (EMR), uses voltage applied to mechanically deformed cartilage to electrochemically reshape specimens ( Fig. 1) [9,10]. It has been suggested that the EMR mechanism involves redox reactions initiated at the interfaces between the electrodes and cartilage, subsequently creating local and temporal alteration of pH [9,10].…”

“…1) [9,10]. It has been suggested that the EMR mechanism involves redox reactions initiated at the interfaces between the electrodes and cartilage, subsequently creating local and temporal alteration of pH [9,10]. Two electrode configurations for EMR have been studied: surface and needle electrodes ( Fig.…”