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The characterization of surgeon-tied knots reveals the relevant ranges of tightness and geometric features. Using model experiments coupled with finite element simulations, we uncover a robust master curve for the target knot strength versus the tying pre-tension, number of throws, and frictional properties. These findings could find applications in the training of surgeons and robotic-assisted surgical devices.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1126\/sciadv.adg8861","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,6,7]],"date-time":"2023-06-07T13:58:30Z","timestamp":1686146310000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.34133\/aaas_crossmark","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":28,"title":["The strength of surgical knots involves a critical interplay between friction and elastoplasticity"],"prefix":"10.1126","volume":"9","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3093-6753","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Paul","family":"Johanns","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Flexible Structures Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Changyeob","family":"Baek","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Applied Mathematics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1140-7557","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Paul","family":"Grandgeorge","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Flexible Structures Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland."},{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Samia","family":"Guerid","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Independent Plastic Surgeon, Lausanne, Switzerland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1146-1745","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Shawn A.","family":"Chester","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Mechanical &amp; Industrial Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3984-828X","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Pedro M.","family":"Reis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Flexible Structures Laboratory, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"221","reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_2_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00423-009-0575-8"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsurg.2012.07.002"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"F. 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