Medical engineering & physics
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Telerehabilitation systems provide some advantages against the classic rehabilitation methods. The ability of the shoulders depends on active motion range of them to do activities in daily life and to do sports. To evaluate the shoulder motions, range of motion (ROM) measurement is a basic method. ⋯ For extension pose, it has good reliability result according to the ICC value. The validity analysis gives good results for all shoulder poses except internal rotation between Kinect V2 and clinical/digital goniometer. As a result, Kinect V2 based measurement system is a reliable and valid alternative telerehabilitation tool for shoulder motions.
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Peripheral nerves are continuously subjected to mechanical strain during everyday movements, but excessive stretch can lead to damage and neuronal cell functionality can also be impaired. To better understand cellular processes triggered by stretch, it is necessary to develop in vitro experimental methods that allow multiple concurrent measurements and replicate in vivo mechanical conditions. Current commercially available cell stretching devices do not allow flexible experimental design, restricting the range of possible multi-physics measurements. ⋯ We characterise the strain applied to cells cultured in deformable wells by using finite element method simulations and experimental data, showing local surface strains of up to 60% with applied strains of up to 25%. We also show how patterned substrates do not alter the mechanical properties of the system compared to unpatterned surfaces whilst still inducing a homogeneous cell response to strain. The characterisation of this device will be useful for research into investigating the effect of whole-cell mechanical stretch on neurons at both single cell and network scales, with applications found in peripheral neuropathy modelling and in platforms for preventive and regenerative studies.
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Comparative Study
Prophylactic vertebroplasty versus kyphoplasty in osteoporosis: A comprehensive biomechanical matched-pair study by in vitro compressive testing.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are alternative augmentation techniques of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. However, shortly after augmentation, new vertebral compression fractures may occur, mostly in the adjacent vertebrae. To prevent this, prophylactic cement injection can be applied to the neighboring vertebral bodies. ⋯ The reasons for these contrasting behavior included the fundamentally different augmentation method, the resulting different construction and location of cement clouds and the different form and location of failure. These results indicate that both prophylactic vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty of non-fractured adjacent vertebrae may be advantageous to avoid subsequent fractures after post-fracture vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, respectively. However, cement bridging in vertebroplasty and central cement placement in kyphoplasty are advantageous in prevention.
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Externally visible deformities are cosmetic features of great concern for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients. Current assessment techniques for AIS do not fully encompass the external deformity. A non-invasive method capable of capturing superficial anatomy, such as 3D scanning, would enable better qualitative and quantitative evaluation of cosmesis. ⋯ Rib hump measurements with all scanners were within clinical measurement variability (±4.9 deg) of the known values. These commercially available 3D scanners are capable of imaging torso shape in 3D and deriving clinically relevant external deformity measures. The non-invasive 3D topographic information provided can be used to improve assessment of torso shape in spinal deformity patients.
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Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been used for over five decades as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy in the treatment of venous thromboembolic disease. However, complications associated with IVC filters remain common. Though many studies have investigated blood flow in the IVC, the effects of respiration-induced IVC collapse have not been evaluated. ⋯ We speculate that asymmetries in the flow may generate unbalanced forces on the IVC wall and on placed IVC filters that could promote filter tilting and migration, although this requires further investigation. If unbalanced forces are present in vivo, the forces should be considered when determining the optimal placement positions and geometric features for IVC filters. Therefore, these findings motivate further investigation of the in vivo hemodynamics in the infrarenal IVC.