title: Mechanical properties of ligament replacement with carbon fibres.
abstract: 1. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of carbon fibres are comparable to those of stainless steel. 2. The small diameter (7-8 microns) produces high fibre flexibility, permitting braiding and weaving of this material. 3. The strength of braided ligament prostheses is about 2-3 times higher than the rupture strength of natural knee ligaments. 4. The elasticity and extensibility of a ligament prosthesis made of braided carbon fibres are higher than when there is a unidirectional arrangement. 5. The growth of connective tissue between the braided carbon fibres increases the elasticity and extensibility of the ligament replacement in vivo, so that 50-110% of the values for natural ligaments can be achieved. 6. The low shearing strength of the carbon fibres can be increased by a layer of collagen. 7. Intraosseous anchorages of the carbon fibre ligaments after 12 weeks of implantation exhibit strengths corresponding to 49-107% of the rupture strength of natural ligaments.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002244:Carbon