Prototypical metal/polymer hybrid cerebral aneurysm clip: in vitro testing for closing force, slippage, and computed tomography artifact

Development of an artifact-free aneurysm clip

For the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with aneurysm clips, usually a follow-up inspection in MRI is required. To avoid any artifacts, which can make a proper diagnosis difficult, a new approach for the manufacturing of an aneurysm clip entirely made from fiber-reinforced plastics has been developed. In this paper the concept for the design of the clip, the development of a new manufacturing technology for the fiber-reinforced components as well as first results from the examination of the components in phantom MRI testing is shown.

What is the role of clipping surgery for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in the endovascular era? A review of recent technical advances and problems to be solved

Craniotomy and clipping have been robust treatments for ruptured cerebral aneurysm for more than 50 years, with satisfactory overall outcomes. Technical advances, such as developments in microsurgical tools and equipment, adjunctive therapy, and novel monitoring methods enable safer and more efficient treatment. However, overall surgical results have not shown any major improvements, as outcomes are mainly determined by the damage from initial bleeding, and new treatment strategies are not always free from associated complications and problems. Recent advances in endovascular treatment are shifting the treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysm from craniotomy and clipping to intravascular coil embolization. However, craniotomy and clipping are very important for the treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysm. This paper discusses recent advances and future perspectives in the field of clipping surgery for ruptured aneurysms.

Application of carbon fibers to biomaterials: a new era of nano-level control of carbon fibers after 30-years of development

Carbon fibers are state-of-the-art materials with properties that include being light weight, high strength, and chemically stable, and are applied in various fields including aeronautical science and space science. Investigation of applications of carbon fibers to biomaterials was started 30 or more years ago, and various products have been developed. Because the latest technological progress has realized nano-level control of carbon fibers, applications to biomaterials have also progressed to the age of nano-size. Carbon fibers with diameters in the nano-scale (carbon nanofibers) dramatically improve the functions of conventional biomaterials and make the development of new composite materials possible. Carbon nanofibers also open possibilities for new applications in regenerative medicine and cancer treatment. The first three-dimensional constructions with carbon nanofibers have been realized, and it has been found that the materials could be used as excellent scaffolding for bone tissue regeneration. In this critical review, we summarize the history of carbon fiber application to the biomaterials and describe future perspectives in the new age of nano-level control of carbon fibers (122 references).