Journal of Pain & Relief
Open Access

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate how mechanical, chemical properties and geometrical characteristics of PICCs are affected by 1 month, 3 and 6 months periods of immersion at 37°C in Ringer?s and ethanol solution, which mimics respectively blood and chemiotherapic drugs. Poly-urethane made single-lumen PICCs from eight different vendors was compared. Before and after immersion, samples and their geometrical characteristics were analyzed by surface roughness analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy and optical microscopy observations. Mechanical and chemical properties were investigated by means of Dynamical-Mechanical-Thermal Analysis and uni-axial tensile tests. Results will be presented and discussed in terms of effects of the two solutions on PICCs? properties at different time steps.

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