A hydrogel fracture strength testing device and testing method

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By designing a hydrogel fracture strength testing device, and using a pressurization device and pressure gauge to simulate increased intracranial pressure, the problem of the inability to assess leakage at hydrogel weak points in existing technologies has been solved, achieving rapid and accurate testing results.

CN117030480BActive Publication Date: 2026-07-17SEALMED

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office: CN · China
Patent Type: Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner: SEALMED
Filing Date: 2023-08-02
Publication Date: 2026-07-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Currently, there is no effective equipment for testing the fracture strength of hydrogels, which makes it impossible to accurately assess whether leakage will occur at the weak points of hydrogel sealing after dura mater suture.

Method used

A hydrogel rupture strength testing device was designed, including a tank, a combined cover, a pressurization device and a pressure gauge. The rupture strength of the hydrogel is tested by simulating the increase of intracranial pressure in the human body. Physiological saline buffer is used for pressurization, and the maximum pressure is recorded to determine the rupture point.

Benefits of technology

It enables rapid and accurate testing of the burst strength of hydrogels, simulating real surgical environments, and determining whether leakage will occur at the weak points of hydrogel sealing. The operation is simple and low-cost.

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Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of gel testing technology, specifically relating to a hydrogel rupture strength testing device, including a tank with a top opening, a combined cover matching the opening of the tank, a pressurizing device for pressurizing the tank, and a pressure gauge for measuring the internal pressure of the tank. The combined cover has a through hole connecting the inside of the tank to the outside, and the center of the through hole is sealed to a sample chamber for accommodating the sample to be tested. After the sample to be tested is placed into the sample chamber, the sample blocks the through hole from the center. The testing device of this invention has a simple structure and is easy to operate. This invention also relates to a hydrogel rupture strength testing method, which uses a pressure pump to pump pressurized liquid into the tank to increase the pressure, and a pressure gauge monitors the pressure. As the amount of liquid in the tank increases, the real-time pressure increases accordingly. When the sample to be tested ruptures, the maximum pressure is recorded. The testing method of this invention has simple steps, is easy to operate, and can quickly and accurately obtain the hydrogel rupture strength.

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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of gel testing technology, specifically relating to a hydrogel fracture strength testing device and testing method. Background Technology

[0002] The dura mater is a thick, tough, double-layered membranous tissue located between the skull and brain tissue, forming an important natural protective barrier for the brain. Trauma, inflammation, tumor erosion, and surgical procedures can all damage the dura mater, disrupting its integrity. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage refers to the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from a gap in the dura mater and the skull defect it covers, through the nasal cavity, external auditory canal, or open wound, due to the pressure gradient between the intracranial and extracranial spaces.

[0003] Conventional dura mater repair involves using an artificial dura mater to directly repair the damaged area through "adhesion" or "suturing." Absorbable dura mater sealing adhesive, through a "water seal" mechanism, effectively prevents cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, providing a novel solution for preventing CSF leakage after craniotomy suturing. Compared to conventional dura mater repair methods, the innovation of this medical dura mater adhesive lies in its application to the surgical site during the repair procedure. After multi-component cross-linking, it rapidly polymerizes to form a viscous hydrogel with a three-dimensional network structure, effectively preventing the potential risk of CSF leakage.

[0004] The thickness of the dura mater adhesive spray needs to be determined based on the manufacturer's instructions and the surgeon's experience to achieve a good spraying effect. Therefore, simulated operation is necessary to test the effective gel thickness and conduct surgical simulation practice. However, there is currently no testing equipment available to test the burst strength of such gel products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a hydrogel fracture strength testing device and testing method.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A hydrogel crack strength testing device includes a tank with a top opening, a combination cover that matches the opening of the tank, a pressurizing device for pressurizing the tank, and a pressure gauge for measuring the internal pressure of the tank.

[0008] The combined cover is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the tank to the outside. The middle of the through hole is sealed and connected to a sample chamber. The sample chamber is used to hold the sample to be tested. After the sample to be tested is placed into the sample chamber, the sample to be tested blocks the through hole from the middle.

[0009] Furthermore, the combined cover includes a large cover and a small cover connected by fasteners. The large cover is provided with a sample groove with a top opening, and the small cover is a sealing cover on the sample groove to form a sample cavity. The through hole extends through the large cover and the small cover along the thickness direction of the large cover.

[0010] Furthermore, the through hole is flared at one end inside the container and has a smaller diameter at the end near the sample chamber.

[0011] Furthermore, the diameter of the sample groove ranges from 150mm to 200mm, the minimum diameter of the through hole is 10mm, and the minimum diameter of the through hole is 20% ± 1% of the diameter of the sample groove.

[0012] Furthermore, a gasket is provided in the sample slot, and the through hole extends through the large cover, the gasket, and the small cover along the thickness direction of the large cover; after the sample to be tested is placed into the sample cavity, the gasket is sandwiched between the sample to be tested and the small cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the thickness of the gasket is 5%-10% of the thickness of the sample groove, the thickness of the sample to be tested is 1.0mm-2.0mm, and the total thickness of the gasket and the sample to be tested is 3mm-4mm.

[0014] Furthermore, the pressurization device includes a pressure pump and a hose. One hose connects the pressurized liquid source to the inlet of the pressure pump, and the other hose connects the outlet of the pressure pump to the inside of the tank. The pressure pump is a digitally controlled peristaltic pump that can deliver liquid at a constant speed.

[0015] Furthermore, the pressurized liquid source is a physiological saline buffer solution with a specific gravity of 1.005-1.009, which can realistically simulate the increase in intracranial pressure under 2Kpa-10Kpa.

[0016] This invention also proposes a method for testing the fracture strength of hydrogels, using the aforementioned hydrogel fracture strength testing equipment; the steps of the hydrogel fracture strength testing method are as follows:

[0017] First, the large cap is installed on the tank, and the prepared sample to be tested is placed in the sample slot. Then, the gasket and small cap are installed in sequence, creating a sealed state. The sample to be tested is the most vulnerable point in the sealed environment of the tank. Next, pressurized liquid is pumped into the tank through a pressure pump to increase the pressure, while the pressure gauge is connected online to record the real-time pressure of the tank. As the amount of liquid in the tank increases, the real-time pressure increases accordingly. When the sample to be tested ruptures, the maximum pressure is recorded, which is the rupture strength of the sample to be tested.

[0018] Furthermore, the pressure pump is a digitally controlled peristaltic pump with a pump speed of 2.0 ml / min; the temperature of the pressurized liquid is 36℃±2℃.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0020] The testing equipment of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate, produces accurate results, and the testing environment can more realistically simulate real-world conditions;

[0021] The testing method of this invention is simple and easy to operate, and can quickly and accurately obtain the hydrogel rupture strength. The method of this invention can simulate the test after dura mater suture surgery, after the suture point is sealed with hydrogel, and by simulating the increase of intracranial pressure in the human body, test the limit of hydrogel rupture strength to determine whether leakage will occur at the weak point. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the small cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is an enlarged structural diagram of the pressure outlet hole in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the diagram, 1-pressure gauge, 2-small cap, 21-cap hole, 3-fastener, 4-gasket, 41-plate hole, 5-large cap, 51-sample tank, 52-pressure outlet, 53-liquid inlet, 54-component mounting hole, 55-annular groove, 6-sealing ring, 7-tank body, 8-hose, 9-pressure pump. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of this invention, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," and "bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and do not require the invention to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. The terms "connected" and "linked" used in this invention should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or a detachable connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through intermediate components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a hydrogel crack strength testing device includes a tank 7 with a top opening, a combined cover that matches the opening of the tank 7, a pressurizing device for pressurizing the tank 7, and a pressure gauge 1 for measuring the internal pressure of the tank 7; the tank 7, the combined cover, and the pressurizing device form a pressurizable tank 7 device; the pressure gauge 1 is a long conventional digital display pressure gauge 1;

[0035] The combined cover is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the tank 7 to the outside. The middle of the through hole is sealed and connected to a sample chamber. The sample chamber is used to hold the sample to be tested. After the sample to be tested is placed into the sample chamber, the sample to be tested blocks the through hole from the middle, so that pressure can be applied to the sample to be tested through the through hole. This invention can be used for testing chemically synthesized biodegradable hydrogels.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the combined cover includes a large cover 5 and a small cover 2 connected by fasteners 3; the large cover 5 has a threaded hole near the edge, and the large cover 5 can be fixed to the opening of the tank body 7 by bolt-type fasteners 3. The tank body 7 is a cylindrical container, and a sealing ring 6 is also provided between the opening of the tank body 7 and the large cover 5. The sealing ring 6 is preferably made of silicone.

[0037] The large cover 5 is provided with a sample slot 51 with a top opening. A gasket 4 is also provided in the sample slot 51. The gasket 4 is used to press down the sample to be tested and achieve a sealing effect. The through hole extends through the large cover 5, the gasket 4 and the small cover 2 along the thickness direction of the large cover 5. After the sample to be tested is placed into the sample cavity, the gasket 4 is sandwiched between the sample to be tested and the small cover 2.

[0038] The small cover 2 is a sealing cap that forms a sample cavity on the sample tank 51. The through hole extends through the large cover 5 and the small cover 2 along the thickness direction of the large cover 5. Both the large cover 5 and the small cover 2 are made of acrylic. The large cover 5 is provided with a component mounting hole 54 for mounting the pressure gauge 1, a liquid inlet hole 53 for connecting the pressurizing device, and a pressure outlet hole 52 for liquid to enter the through hole. The pressure outlet hole 52 is flared, with a smaller diameter end near the sample cavity. The gasket 4 has a plate hole 41, and the small cover 2 is provided with a cover hole 21. The pressure outlet hole 52, the plate hole 41, and the cover hole 21 constitute the through hole. The through hole provides a liquid channel. Pressurized liquid is pumped into the tank 7 from the liquid inlet and then discharged through the only outlet of the tank 7—the through hole. The pressurized liquid directly contacts the sample to be tested, applying pressure to the through hole and the sample to be tested in the sample cavity until the sample is tested. The sample ruptures, and pressurized liquid flows out through the sample to be tested. Gasket 4 presses down on the sample, and both the plate hole 41 and the cover hole 21 provide space for the sample to expand. Specifically, the diameter of the sample groove 51 ranges from 150mm to 200mm, the minimum diameter of the through hole is 10mm, and the minimum diameter of the through hole is 20% ± 1% of the diameter of the sample groove 51. The minimum diameter of the through hole can be located at the pressure outlet 52 or at the plate hole 41. The thickness of gasket 4 is 5%-10% of the thickness of the sample groove 51, the thickness of the sample to be tested is 1.0mm-2.0mm, and the total thickness of gasket 4 and the sample to be tested is 3mm-4mm. Gasket 4 is made of silicone. An annular groove 55 can also be provided around the sample groove 51, with a silicone gasket 4 placed inside the annular groove 55 as a sealing gasket to achieve a better sealing effect.

[0039] The pressurization device includes a pressure pump 9 and a hose 8. One hose 8 connects the pressurized liquid source and the inlet of the pressure pump 9, and the other hose 8 connects the outlet of the pressure pump 9 to the liquid inlet 53. The hose 8 is preferably made of silicone tubing. The pressure pump 9 is a digitally controlled peristaltic pump that can deliver liquid at a constant speed. The pump speed range of the digitally controlled peristaltic pump is 0.01 ml / min to 100 ml / min.

[0040] Furthermore, in order to make the test environment more realistically simulate real-world conditions, the pressurized liquid source is a physiological saline buffer solution with a salt-to-water ratio of 1.005-1.009, which can realistically simulate intracranial pressure increases of 2-10 kPa.

[0041] During testing, the large cover 5, sealing ring 6, tank body 7, and fastener 3 are first assembled. Then, the prepared sample to be tested is placed in the sample slot 51, and the gasket 4, small cover 2, and fastener 3 are installed in sequence. At this time, the tank body 7 is in a sealed state, and the sample to be tested is hydrogel, which is the weakest point of the entire sealed tank. As the pressure in the tank body 7 increases, this point will expand and eventually rupture. The pressure pump 9 is turned on, and as the liquid in the tank increases, the reading of the pressure gauge 1 increases accordingly. When the sample to be tested ruptures, the maximum pressure is recorded, which is the rupture strength of the sample to be tested. The sample to be tested is first sprayed onto sheep intestine to form a hydrogel sample, and then a circular piece is cut out using a circular mold as the prepared sample to be tested.

[0042] The testing equipment of the present invention has a simple structure, low cost, is easy to operate, and produces accurate results.

[0043] The present invention also proposes a method for testing the hydrogel fracture strength, using the aforementioned hydrogel fracture strength testing equipment; the steps of the hydrogel fracture strength testing method are as follows: first, the large cover 5 is installed on the tank 7, the prepared sample to be tested is placed in the sample slot 51, and the gasket 4 and the small cover 2 are installed in sequence. At this time, it is in a sealed state, and the sample to be tested is the most vulnerable point in the sealed environment of the tank 7.

[0044] Then, pressurized liquid is pumped into tank 7 by pressure pump 9 at a pump speed of 2.0 ml / min. The temperature of the pressurized liquid is 36℃±2℃. At the same time, pressure gauge 1 records the real-time pressure of tank 7 online. As the amount of liquid in the tank increases, the real-time pressure increases accordingly. When the test sample breaks, the maximum pressure is recorded as the breaking strength of the test sample.

[0045] The testing method of this invention is simple to operate, easy to operate, and simulates reality, enabling rapid and accurate acquisition of hydrogel rupture strength. The method of this invention can simulate the test after dura mater suture surgery, after the suture point is sealed with hydrogel, and by simulating the increase in intracranial pressure, test the limit of hydrogel rupture strength to determine whether leakage will occur at the weak point.

[0046] It is understood that the above description is merely exemplary and the embodiments of this application are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the pending claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogel fracture strength testing device, characterized in that: The hydrogel fracture strength testing device includes a tank (7) with a top opening, a combination cover that matches the opening of the tank (7), a pressurizing device for pressurizing the tank (7), and a pressure gauge (1) for measuring the internal pressure of the tank (7). The combined cover is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the tank (7) to the outside, and the middle of the through hole is sealed and connected to the sample chamber; The combined cover includes a large cover (5) and a small cover (2) connected by fasteners (3). The large cover (5) is provided with a sample slot (51) with a top opening. The small cover (2) seals and presses the sample slot (51) to form a sample cavity, which is used to hold the sample to be tested. A gasket (4) is also provided in the sample slot (51). The large cover (5) is provided with a pressure outlet (52), which is flared and has a small diameter end near the sample cavity. A plate hole (41) is provided on the gasket (4), and a cover hole (21) is provided on the small cover (2). The pressure outlet (52), plate hole (41), and cover hole (21) constitute the through hole. The minimum diameter of the through hole is at the plate hole position. The diameter range of the sample slot (51) is 150mm-200mm, and the minimum diameter of the through hole is 20%±1% of the diameter of the sample slot (51). The sample to be tested is first sprayed onto sheep intestines to form a hydrogel sample, and then a circular piece is cut out using a circular mold as the prepared sample to be tested.

2. The hydrogel fracture strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the gasket (4) is 5%-10% of the thickness of the sample groove (51), the thickness of the sample to be tested is 1.0mm-2.0mm, and the total thickness of the gasket (4) and the sample to be tested is 3mm-4mm.

3. The hydrogel fracture strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressurizing device includes a pressure pump (9) and a hose (8). One hose (8) connects the pressurized liquid source and the inlet of the pressure pump (9), and the other hose (8) connects the outlet of the pressure pump (9) to the inside of the tank (7). The pressure pump (9) is a digitally controlled peristaltic pump that can deliver liquid at a constant speed.

4. The hydrogel fracture strength testing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressurized liquid source is physiological saline buffer solution with a specific gravity of 1.005-1.009, which can realistically simulate the increase in intracranial pressure under 2kPa-10kPa.

5. A method for testing the fracture strength of a hydrogel, characterized in that: The hydrogel fracture strength testing device as described in any one of claims 1-4 is used; the steps of the hydrogel fracture strength testing method are as follows: First, the large cover (5) is installed on the tank (7), and the prepared sample to be tested is placed in the sample slot (51). The gasket (4) and the small cover (2) are installed in sequence. At this time, it is in a sealed state. The sample to be tested is the most vulnerable point in the sealed environment of the tank (7). Then, pressurized liquid is pumped into the tank (7) by the pressure pump (9) to increase the pressure. At the same time, the pressure gauge (1) is connected online to record the real-time pressure of the tank (7). As the amount of liquid in the tank (7) increases, the real-time pressure increases accordingly. When the sample to be tested breaks, the maximum pressure is recorded as the breaking strength of the sample to be tested.

6. The method for testing the hydrogel fracture strength according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressure pump (9) is a digitally controlled peristaltic pump with a pump speed of 2.0 mL / min; the temperature of the pressurized liquid is 36℃±2℃.