Abstract

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Title:: Preparation and properties of CRG/PVA composite hydrogel isolation layer for direct cardiac assist device

Author(s):: JIANG Hao1; YUN Zhong2; TANG Xiaoyan2; CHEN Honghuan2; 1. Light Alloy Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China 2. School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

Keywords:: Keywords: hydrogel isolation layer 3D printing mechanical property friction-induced damage

Abstract:: Abstract: In recent years, the direct cardiac assist device based on pneumatic muscle has become a research focus. For the device, a hydrogel biomaterial isolation layer is proposed to avoid the direct contact between pneumatic muscle and the heart, thereby reducing friction force and rejection reaction. Firstly, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is selected as the precursor material for the 3D printing of the hydrogel isolation layer, and the preparation of PVA hydrogel is carried out. Then, carrageenan (CRG) is added to optimize PVA hydrogel for solving the problem that hydrogel can not be applied to 3D printing for it has a long curing time, and the mechanical and swelling properties of the proposed material are explored. Finally, 3D printing technology is applied to the forming of the isolation layer, and the friction and wear properties of the hydrogel isolation layer are studied. The results show that the tensile fracture strain and stress of CRG/PVA composite hydrogel are 280% and 0.84 Mpa, respectively, which reveals its good mechanical properties. The use of CRG can not only shorten the curing time of hydrogel, but also increase its swelling degree to 3.70 with the content increasing from 1% to 5%. The hydrogel isolation layer shows no obvious surface damage after 120 working cycles, which further verifies that the proposed structure can reduce the friction of direct cardiac assist device against the heart.