Background: The closing force of cerebral aneurysm clips is measured according to International Organization for Standardization guidelines. However, it is difficult to predict the risk of a clip using only the closing force. To investigate the clips' detailed characteristics and assess their limits, we used a high-pressure perfusion circuit and measured the critical pressure to the slipping point.
Methods: Opening pressures were measured for 3 types of Sugita clips using a high-pressure perfusion circuit and a porcine vessel. The opening pressures at different points on various blade lengths and shapes were also measured.
Results: The opening pressure of a short blade clip was higher than that of a long one. In a straight blade of the same length, the opening pressure of the proximal segment of a blade was higher than that at the distal segment.
Conclusions: Our study showed the characteristics of various clips, such as blade length. These findings suggested that clips should be chosen on a case-by-case basis.