title: A Novel Glass Polyalkenoate Cement for Fixation and Stabilisation of the Ribcage, Post Sternotomy Surgery: An ex-Vivo Study.
abstract: This study investigates the use of gallium (Ga) based glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) as a possible alternative adhesive in sternal fixation, post sternotomy surgery. The glass series consists of a Control (CaO-ZnO-SiO2), and LGa-1 and LGa-2 which contain Ga at the expense of zinc (Zn) in 0.08 mol% increments. The additions of Ga resulted in increased working time (75 s to 137 s) and setting time (113 to 254 s). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated that this was a direct result of increased unreacted poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and the reduction of crosslink formation during cement maturation. LGa samples (0.16 wt % Ga) resulted in an altered ion release profile, particularly for 30 days analysis, with maximum Ca2+, Zn2+, Si4+ and Ga3+ ions released into the distilled water. The additions of Ga resulted in increased roughness and decreased contact angles during cement maturation. The presence of Ga has a positive effect on the compressive strength of the samples with strengths increasing over 10 MPa at 7 days analysis compared to the 1 day results. The additions of Ga had relatively no effect on the flexural strength. Tensile testing of bovine sterna proved that the LGa samples (0.16 wt % Ga) are comparable to the Control samples.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. adel.alhalawani@ryerson.ca.
authors: Adel M F
authors: AM
authors: Alhalawani
authors: Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto M5B 2K3, ON, Canada. curran@ryerson.ca.
authors: Declan J
authors: DJ
authors: Curran
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
authors: Belinda
authors: B
authors: Pingguan-Murphy
authors: Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, NS, Canada. d.boyd@dal.ca.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Boyd
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. mtowler@ryerson.ca.
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Towler