Class: BE210
Group: 102_A3
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In this study, smaller strain values indicate better suture performance. The aim of this study is to quantify the stitch density limit, by finding the average strain values of the running-stitched samples with a range of stitch densities (2-6 stitches per cm). The limit will be defined as the point where increasing stitch density no longer decreases strain value, and will be quantified using two methods (derivative and ANOVA). Furthermore, this study will determine the relationship between stitch density and average strain, and fit it to a regression model.

The range of densities to be used is from 2-6 stitches per cm. Based on previous data (see appendix), the lower limit of 2 stitches per cm was chosen because it was lower than the density at which strain values begin to approach the stitch density limit. This makes densities less than 2 stitches per cm unnecessary. The upper limit for stitch density was set at 6 per cm, due to the difficulty in sewing higher density sutures. As density increases, it becomes more difficult to punch holes in the material without the holes running together. Additionally, with increasing density, the amount of material between the holes becomes so thin that the samples will repeatedly fail in the Tyvek along the line of stitches. As a result, a density of 6 stitches per cm was deemed to be the highest density feasible. A 1 kg weight was chosen for loading because it provides enough force to create a noticeable deformation, but is light enough that it does not cause any of the lower stitch densities to fail.