The Mechanical and Microscopic Aspects of the Deformation and Fracture of a Poly (Ether Urethane-Urea) Spun Arterial Prosthesis

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Williams, D. F.^; | Zhong, S. P. | Doherty, P. J.

Affiliations: Institute of Medical and Dental Bioengineering, The University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK

Note: [] Requests for reprints should be addressed to D. F. Williams.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of a microporous, electrostatically spun poly (ether urethane-urea), used in the construction of arterial prostheses, have been examined, with particular reference to anisotropic, crack initiation processes and preconditioning. The results demonstrate considerable anisotropy in relation to samples derived from circumferential and longitudinal directions of the tube wall structure related to the spinning process. There is also a considerable difference in crack initiation on inner and outer surface of the arterial wall, again related to the processing conditions. The results provide an important contribution to an understanding of structure-property relationships in microporous arterial prosthesis.

Keywords: microporous arterial prosthesis, anisotropy, crack initiation processes

DOI: 10.3233/BME-1991-1201

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 75-90, 1991