In vivo evaluation of bending strengths and degradation rates of different magnesium pin designs for oral stapler

Abstract

Magnesium alloys have been potential biodegradable implants in the areas of bone, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, and so on. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Mg–2Zn alloy degradation as a potential suture material. The study included Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats in vivo. In 24 male SD rats, tests in the leg muscle were conducted using traditional surgical incision and insertion of magnesium alloys of different designs into the tissue. The material degradation topography, elemental composition, and strength of the pins were analyzed. This paper explores magnesium pins with different cross-sectional shapes and diameters to establish a suitable pin diameter and shape for use as an oral stapler, which must have a good balance of degradation rate and strength. The results showed there were good bending strengths over different degradation periods in groups with diameters of 0.8 mm and 0.5 mm, and no significantly different bending strength between the groups of triangle and round cross-section shapes with same diameter of 0.3 mm, although the degradation rate still needs to be improved.