The prototype BS-II for computer measurement of biomechanical characteristics of the human cadaverous lumbar spine

Abstract Background The new second-generation computer system BS-II (Bio-Spine-II) based on the National Instruments’ development environment has been designed and constructed for evaluating the stability of various surgical fixative methods of the cadaverous lumbar spine (L1–L5). BS-II holds the measured sample using aluminum fixtures and using four computer-controlled stepper motors; it performs a circular movement (warm up of the specimen), programmatically driven extension (back bend), right and left lateral flexion (lateral bend), left and right axial torsion (rotation), and axial compression (pressure). Four strain gauges are used to measure the stiffness of the sample. The movement of individual components (vertebrae) is contactlessly monitored by two CCD (charge couple device) cameras. The obtained data are in digital form continuously stored in the computer memory for further processing. Methods The functionality of the equipment was verified on the cadaverous specimen of the human spine. The stiffness of the sample was measured by strain gauges, and the results were processed using linear regression analysis. Movements of vertebrae were determined by circular discs covered with appropriate patterns. The discs have been linked with the respective vertebrae and were contactlessly monitored by two CCD (charge couple device) cameras and evaluated using digital image processing methods and 2D digital FFT (fast Fourier transformation). Direction and displacement of the individual components were determined by the band of the calculated spectrum. The new device BS-II is controlled by a modifiable computer program designed in the National Instruments’ development environment which allows statistical processing of the sample, including its warming up. Results The computer system BS-II for measurement of biomechanical properties of the spine sample was designed. Functionality of the device was verified by implementation of LUMIR XLIF CAGE implant into a cadaver sample of the human spine. Comparison of the rigidity of the intact and stabilized sample is shown in the graphs of article. The achieved results contributed to certification of the implant into the surgical practice. Conclusion The designed computer BS-II system is designed for biomechanical measurements of the lumbar part of the human spine, especially for verification of surgical fixation methods. The system is based on the knowledge and experience with a manually operated measuring device designed by Palacky University Olomouc. The computer programmatic control allows the user to change the conditions and parameters of the measurement procedure in a planned way, which allows the results to be processed in, among other things, a statistical way. If suitable models are used (3D printing), the BS-II system can be used to verify procedures for surgical stabilization of the spine in the training of future doctors. The obtained data of stiffness and image information are stored in digital form and can be used for next offline sophisticated study of biomechanical properties of specimens (accurate vertebral geometry, statistical processing, 3D printing, etc.). The usefulness of the BS-II system is demonstrated in the case of biomechanical analysis of the implantation of LUMIR XLIF CAGE implant to a human cadaver specimen of the spine.

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Development environment for the design and test of applications software for a distributed multiprocessor computer system

IEE Proceedings E Computers and Digital Techniques ◽

10.1049/ip-e.1983.0006 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 130 (1) ◽

pp. 25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. Halsall ◽

R.L. Grimsdale ◽

G.C. Shoja ◽

J.E. Lambert

Keyword(s):

Computer System ◽

Development Environment ◽

Multiprocessor Computer ◽

Multiprocessor Computer System

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3D Printed Clamps for In Vitro Tensile Tests of Human Gracilis and the Superficial Third of Quadriceps Tendons

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11062563 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 2563

Author(s):

Ivan Grgić ◽

Vjekoslav Wertheimer ◽

Mirko Karakašić ◽

Željko Ivandić

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Fused Deposition Modeling ◽

Tensile Tests ◽

Biomechanical Properties ◽

Testing Procedure ◽

Laboratory Equipment ◽

Fused Deposition ◽

Custom Made ◽

3D Printed

Recent soft tissue studies have reported issues that occur during experimentation, such as the tissue slipping and rupturing during tensile loads, the lack of standard testing procedure and equipment, the necessity for existing laboratory equipment adaptation, etc. To overcome such issues and fulfil the need for the determination of the biomechanical properties of the human gracilis and the superficial third of the quadriceps tendons, 3D printed clamps with metric thread profile-based geometry were developed. The clamps’ geometry consists of a truncated pyramid pattern, which prevents the tendons from slipping and rupturing. The use of the thread application in the design of the clamp could be used in standard clamping development procedures, unlike in previously custom-made clamps. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) was used as a 3D printing technique, together with polylactic acid (PLA), which was used as a material for clamp printing. The design was confirmed and the experiments were conducted by using porcine and human tendons. The findings justify the usage of 3D printing technology for parts manufacturing in the case of tissue testing and establish independence from the existing machine clamp system, since it was possible to print clamps for each prepared specimen and thus reduce the time for experiment setup.

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Charge couple device-based system for 3-dimensional real time positioning on the assessment of segmental range of motion of lumbar spine

Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1007/bf02835788 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 272-278

Author(s):

Zhao Ping ◽

Chen Li-jun ◽

Guan Jing ◽

Pan Li ◽

Ding Hui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Real Time ◽

Charge Couple Device ◽

3 Dimensional

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A smart home embedded computer system on programmable chips

10.32920/ryerson.14665896.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan B. Chan

Keyword(s):

Embedded System ◽

Computer System ◽

Smart Home ◽

Data Transfer ◽

Cold Water ◽

System Development ◽

Cost Savings ◽

General Purpose ◽

Development Environment ◽

Home Appliances

System on Programmable Chip (SoPC) based embedded system development has been increasing, aiming for improved system design, testing, and cost savings in the workflow for Application Specific ICs (ASIC). We examine the development of Smart Home embedded systems, which have been traditionally based on a fixed processor and memory, with inflexible configuration. We investigate how more ability can be added by updating firmware without the burden of updating hardware, or using a full (but dedicated) general purpose computer system. Our development and implementation of the smart home controller is based on the SoPC development environment from Altera. The development board includes all the necessary parts such as processor, memory, and various communication interfaces. The initial implementation includes a simple protocol for communication between home appliances or devices and controller. This protocol allows data transfer between home appliances or devices and the controller, in turn allowing both to support more features. We have investigated and developed a home resource management application. The main resources being managed in this project are hot and cold water, electricity, and gas. We have introduced a number of expert rules to manage these resources. Additionally, we have developed a home simulator, with virtual appliances and devices, that communicates with the home controller. The simulator interacts with the SoPC based smart home embedded system developed in this project by generating messages representing a number of smart appliances in the home. It provides a useful testing environment for the smart home embedded system to verify its design goals.

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Biomechanical Properties of a Synthetic Lumbar Spine Model: An Alternative to Cadaveric Testing?

The Spine Journal ◽

10.1016/j.spinee.2016.07.341 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. S257

Author(s):

Jacob M. Buchowski ◽

Gregory M. Mundis ◽

John A. Ferguson ◽

Han Jo Kim ◽

John P. Kostuik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Biomechanical Properties ◽

Spine Model

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Biomechanics Of Human Lumbar Spine (L3 To L5) With Degenerative Disc Disease Using Finite Element Model

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology - Regular Issue ◽

10.35940/ijeat.f8897.088619 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 4609-4614

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

Finite Element Model ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Human Body ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Element Model ◽

Human Spine ◽

Human Lumbar Spine ◽

Normal Human

Human spine is one of the complex structure of the human body. It provides the link between upper and lower extremities of the human body. It is estimated that at least 30% of people in the middle age group from thirty to fifty years have some degree of disc degeneration. Disc degeneration disease can affect the quality of life and in certain individual it can cause severe chronic pain if left untreated. The low back pain associated with lumbar disc degeneration is usually generated from two causes which are abnormal motion instability and inflammation. Abnormal motion instability occurs when the annulus fibrosus are worn down and cannot absorb stress on the human spine effectively resulting in changes in movements along the vertebral segment. To understand lumbar disc problem, a thorough knowledge of the biomechanics of the normal human lumbar spine and a disc degenerated lumbar spine is of great importance. In this study, Computed tomography image of a 33 year old male is used. A three dimensional (3D) human lumbar spine (L3 to L5) is created and validated with literature. The finite element model was modified to degenerated disc and studied the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Comparison of the biomechanics of normal human lumbar spine is done with the human lumbar spine with disc degeneration for different range of motion and different loads. The result shows that the pressure generated on degenerated disc is greater than normal disc. This work can be implemented and used for designing implants and also for intervertebral disc related analysis

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Fused filament fabrication of commercial conductive filaments: experimental study on the process parameters aimed at the minimization, repeatability and thermal characterization of electrical resistance

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology ◽

10.1007/s00170-020-06318-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 111 (9-10) ◽

pp. 2971-2986 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gianni Stano ◽

Attilio Di Nisio ◽

Anna Maria Lanzolla ◽

Mattia Ragolia ◽

Gianluca Percoco

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Electrical Resistance ◽

Thermal Stresses ◽

Wheatstone Bridge ◽

Strain Sensors ◽

Design Parameters ◽

Strain Gauges ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

Embedded Sensing ◽

3D Printed

Abstract Nowadays, a challenging scenario involving additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, relates to concerns on the manufacturing of electronic devices. In particular, the possibility of using fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology, which is well known for being very widespread and inexpensive, to fabricate structures with embedded sensing elements, is really appealing. Several researchers in this field have highlighted the high electrical resistance values and variability in 3D-printed strain sensors made via FFF. It is important to find a way to minimize the electrical resistance and variability among strain sensors printed under the same conditions for several reasons, such as reducing the measurement noise and better balancing four 3D-printed strain gauges connected to form a Wheatstone bridge to obtain better measurements. In this study, a design of experiment (DoE) on 3D-printed strain gauges, studying the relevance of printing and design parameters, was performed. Three different commercial conductive materials were analyzed, including a total of 105 printed samples. The output of this study is a combination of parameters which allow both the electrical resistance and variability to be minimized; in particular, it was discovered that the “welding effect” due to the layer height and printing orientation is responsible for high values of resistance and variability. After the optimization of printing and design parameters, further experiments were performed to characterize the sensitivity of each specimen to mechanical and thermal stresses, highlighting an interesting aspect. A sensible variation of the electrical resistance at room temperature was observed, even if no stress was applied to the specimen, suggesting the potential of exploiting these materials for the 3D printing of highly sensitive temperature sensors.

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On an Idealized Wrapping Loading of the Human Spine

10.1115/imece1999-0478 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

A. Shirazi-Adl ◽

M. Parnianpour

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Optimal Path ◽

Thoracolumbar Spine ◽

Load Level ◽

Compression Load ◽

Model Studies ◽

Human Spine ◽

Margin Of Safety

Abstract The kinetic redundancy of the complex human spinal system presents a rather insurmountable obstacle in estimating the activation patterns and passive-active load sharing. A plausible hypothesis is that the spinal posture, at a given task and load level, is so adjusted as to maintain equilibrium and a sufficient margin of safety against instability while minimizing the need for muscle exertion. Our recent in vivo and model studies support the importance of the pelvic tilt and lumbar curvature in mechanics of the human spine (Shirazi-Adl and Parnianpour, 1996, 1999). In view of very low compression load-carrying capacity (i.e., stability) of the passive ligamentous spine, attempts have been made to investigate optimal path of applied compression loading that could both stabilize the passive system and result in lower stresses and higher margin of safety against tissue failure (Aspeden, 1989; Gracovetsky et al., 1989). Recent in vitro experimental and model studies on the lumbar spine has demonstrated that the passive ligamentous lumbar spine with no musculature is stable under compression loads that remain perpendicular to disc mid-height planes (i.e., wrapping or continuous follower loads) (Patwardhan et al., 1998; Shirazi-Adl and Parnianpour, 1998). In this work, the response of the lumbar and thoracolumbar spine under wrapping compression loads is investigated in order to study the stabilizing effect of this idealized loading configuration as well as its effect on internal tissue-level stress/strain values.

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