scholarly journals Use of Plantar Pressure Sensors to Take Weight-Bearing Foot Casts

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 7476
Author(s):  
Enrique Panera-Rico ◽  
José Manuel Castillo-López ◽  
Inmaculada Concepción Palomo-Toucedo ◽  
Fernando Chacón-Giráldez ◽  
Javier Ramos-Ortega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
P Values ◽  
Symmetry Index ◽  
The Subject

Techniques of taking casts mainly rely not on the objectivity of the procedure, but on the experience and skill of the technician. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficiency of a technique of taking standing foot casts controlled via pressure sensors. In this way, we mean to objectivize the degree of correction. The study was carried out through 150 procedures on 50 feet of 29 patients. The value of the “Heel Symmetry Index” was calculated on three casts in three different situations of the same foot: A first cast in which the subject did not control the position of his/her foot; a second cast where manipulations corrected the foot’s pronator position; and a third cast with pressure sensors placed in the subject’s heel. This enabled the control and quantification of the pressure during the manipulation when taking the cast. The comparison of the “Heel Symmetry Index” in the different groups showed significant p-values of 0.05. Conclusion: The technique of taking casts controlled by pressure sensors achieved more equilibrated casts with a better symmetry index of the heel’s outline.

scholarly journals Early Detection of Freezing of Gait during Walking Using Inertial Measurement Unit and Plantar Pressure Distribution Data

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2246
Author(s):  
Scott Pardoel ◽  
Gaurav Shalin ◽  
Julie Nantel ◽  
Edward D. Lemaire ◽  
Jonathan Kofman
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Binary Classification ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Plantar Pressure Distribution

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a sudden and highly disruptive gait dysfunction that appears in mid to late-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can lead to falling and injury. A system that predicts freezing before it occurs or detects freezing immediately after onset would generate an opportunity for FOG prevention or mitigation and thus enhance safe mobility and quality of life. This research used accelerometer, gyroscope, and plantar pressure sensors to extract 861 features from walking data collected from 11 people with FOG. Minimum-redundancy maximum-relevance and Relief-F feature selection were performed prior to training boosted ensembles of decision trees. The binary classification models identified Total-FOG or No FOG states, wherein the Total-FOG class included data windows from 2 s before the FOG onset until the end of the FOG episode. Three feature sets were compared: plantar pressure, inertial measurement unit (IMU), and both plantar pressure and IMU features. The plantar-pressure-only model had the greatest sensitivity and the IMU-only model had the greatest specificity. The best overall model used the combination of plantar pressure and IMU features, achieving 76.4% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity. Next, the Total-FOG class components were evaluated individually (i.e., Pre-FOG windows, Freeze windows, transition windows between Pre-FOG and Freeze). The best model detected windows that contained both Pre-FOG and FOG data with 85.2% sensitivity, which is equivalent to detecting FOG less than 1 s after the freeze began. Windows of FOG data were detected with 93.4% sensitivity. The IMU and plantar pressure feature-based model slightly outperformed models that used data from a single sensor type. The model achieved early detection by identifying the transition from Pre-FOG to FOG while maintaining excellent FOG detection performance (93.4% sensitivity). Therefore, if used as part of an intelligent, real-time FOG identification and cueing system, even if the Pre-FOG state were missed, the model would perform well as a freeze detection and cueing system that could improve the mobility and independence of people with PD during their daily activities.

scholarly journals Development of smart insole for cycle time measurement in sewing process

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eung Tae Kim ◽  
Sungmin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Cycle Time ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Capacity Planning ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Cost Calculation ◽  
Plantar Pressure Distribution ◽  
Operation Cycle ◽  
Smart Insole

AbstractA smart insole system consisting of pressure sensors, wireless communication modules, and pressure monitoring software has been developed to measure plantar pressure distribution that appears in sewing process. This system calculates the cycle time of each operation by analyzing the real-time plantar pressure data. The operation cycle time was divided into the time done by machine and by manual and calculated by adding the two types of time. By analyzing the cycle time, it is possible to estimate the type of operation a worker is performing. The ability to calculate accurate cycle time and to manage a large volume of data is the advantage of this system. Establishing an accurate cycle time of all operations would be of great help in improving the production process, capacity planning, line efficiency, and labor cost calculation. The system is expected to be a good alternative to the conventional manual measurement process. It will also be able to meet the high demand from garment manufacturers for automated monitoring systems.

The ICEROSS concept: A discussion of a philosophy

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ö. Kristinsson
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Skin Care ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Distal Direction ◽  
Inside Out

Prefabricated ICEROSS (Icelandic Roll On Silicone Socket) sockets have been in use in Iceland since early 1986. Use of custom-made silicone sockets began several years earlier, and a paper devoted to the subject was presented at the 1984 AOPA Assembly by the author of this article. The ICEROSS system is primarily used for suspension. At the same time the author believes it considerably improves the weight-bearing capability of the prosthesis and the interface between prosthesis and user. After being turned inside out and rolled over the stump, the silicone sleeve forces skin in a distal direction, stabilising soft tissue and minimising pistoning. Both prosthetist and user may experience some problems initially, although most can be overcome by careful socket design and skin care.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Changes in Activity and Plantar Ulcer Recurrence in a Patient With Diabetes Mellitus

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 579-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donovan J Lott ◽  
Katrina S Maluf ◽  
David R Sinacore ◽  
Michael J Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Ulcer Recurrence ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Plantar Ulcer ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background and Purpose. Although pressure-reducing interventions have been effective in the healing of neuropathic foot ulcers, these ulcers frequently recur in people with diabetes mellitus (DM). This case report illustrates how sudden changes in weight-bearing activity may have affected ulcer recurrence in a patient with DM and how the physical stress theory (PST) relates to ulcer recurrence for this patient. Case Description. The patient was a 66-year-old man with a history of DM, peripheral neuropathy, and recurrent plantar ulcers. His plantar ulcer healed after total contact casting. Outcome. Despite relatively low peak plantar pressure (9.3 N/cm2), the patient's ulcer recurred within 4 weeks of healing. Plantar pressure assessment and activity monitoring suggested that a rapid and sudden increase in weight-bearing activity (steps per day) contributed to cumulative plantar tissue stress that was 3.3 times higher on the day of ulcer recurrence than his average value. Although his cumulative plantar stress was high compared with his usual value, the cumulative value was similar to the amount of daily stress of individuals without a history of recurrent ulcers. Discussion. Within the context of the PST, rapid change in activity level may have an effect on cumulative stress and the risk of ulcer recurrence.

scholarly journals Dynamic Pedobarography Shows Pain Avoidance Gait of Symptomatic Severe Flatfoot Patient

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0001
Author(s):  
Woo-Chun Lee ◽  
Chihoon Ahn ◽  
Ji-Beom Kim ◽  
Mu Hyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Metatarsal Head ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Medial Longitudinal Arch ◽  
Head Elevation ◽  
Radiographic Parameters ◽  
Longitudinal Arch ◽  
Bearing Load ◽  
The Mean

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: In the flatfoot patients, collapsed medial longitudinal arch during gait induced pain and it results decreased center of progression excursion index(CPEI) in dynamic pedobarography. Although the CPEI decreased is pathologic gait of flatfoot patients, range of the CPEIs is wide even in similar severity of flatfoot patients. We hypothesized that some flatfoot patients inverted forefoot or elevated first metatarsal head during gait for avoiding the pain from collapsed medial longitudinal arch, which resulted wide range of the CPEIs in flatfoot patients. The purposes of this study were to investigate the incidence of forefoot inversion and 1st metatarsal head elevation during gait in severe symptomatic flatfoot patients, and to confirm whether forefoot inversion and 1st metatarsal head elevation increases the CPEI, by using the dynamic pedobarography. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent surgery for flatfoot in our clinic from January, 2017 to May, 2017. Before surgery, all patients underwent plain weight-bearing radiographs and dynamic pedobarography by using in-shoe plantar pressure assessment system (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA). Radiographic parameters, talonavicular coverage angle, Meary angle and moment arm, and the CPEI in dynamic pedobarogrpahy were measured. The forefoot inversion and the 1st metatarsal head elevation were defined when sum of 3rd-4th and 5th submetatarsal plantar pressure was higher than sum of 1st and 2nd submetatarsal plantar pressure, and when 2nd submetatarsal plantar pressure was higher than 1st submetatarsal plantar pressure, respectively. Correlations between the radiographic parameters and the CPEI were investigated. Incidence of the forefoot inversion and the 1st metatarsal head elevation was investigated. The CPEIs in flatfeet with forefoot inversion or 1st metatarsal head elevation were compared with those in flatfeet without these pain avoidance gait. Results: Twenty-eight flatfeet from 28 patients were included in the present study. The average age of patients was 42.3 years (range: 19-71). Means of the three radiographic parameters and the CPEI of the 28 flatfeet were listed at table.1. There was no significant correlation between the CPEI and the three radiographic parameters.(Table.2) The incidence of forefoot inversion and 1st metatarsal head elevation were 11%(3 feet), 54%(15 feet) respectively. The mean CPEI of the flatfeet with forefoot inversion or 1st metatarsal head elevation was 8(range: -10 – 18), and the mean CPEI of the flatfeet without these two compensations was 5 (range: -3 – 12). The CPEI in the flatfeet with the two compensations was significant larger than that of the flatfeet without the two compensations. (P=0.027) Conclusion: In the present study, forefoot inversion or 1st metatarsal head elevation were happened in 65% of symptomatic flatfoot patients. These two pain avoidance gait shifts weight-bearing load laterally, which decreases collapsing medial longitudinal arch and pain on the flatfoot. Because lateral shifting of weight-bearing load increases the CPEI, flatfoot patients with these two gaits showed high the CPEI. Therefore, the degree of the CPEIs are various even in similar severity of flatfoot and are not correlated with the severity of the flatfoot. Clinicians should consider these pain avoidance gait of flatfoot patients when they interpret a dynamic pedobarography of flatfoot.

Epoxy-Pin External Skeletal Fixation for Management of Open Bone Fractures in Calves and Foals: A Review of 32 Cases

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (03) ◽  
pp. 257-268
Author(s):  
Hari Aithal ◽  
Prakash Kinjavdekar ◽  
Abhijit Pawde ◽  
Prasoon Dubey ◽  
Rohit Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Fractures ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Fracture Site ◽  
Open Fractures ◽  
Adhesive Tape ◽  
Stable Fixation ◽  
Early Weight Bearing ◽  
Pin Fixation ◽  
Bone Fragments ◽  
The Subject

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate epoxy-pin external skeletal fixation technique for the treatment of open fractures in calves and foals. Study Design Twenty-eight calves and four foals (weighing 45–105 kg) with fractures distal to the stifle or elbow made the subject for the retrospective study. The pins (2.0–3.0-mm Kirschner wires, crossed at 60–90°) were fixed at least at two locations in both proximal and distal bone fragments as per the case situation. The pins in the same plane were bent (∼2 cm from the skin) towards the fracture site or joint and were joined using an adhesive tape (additional pins used when required) to make a temporary scaffold of connecting bars or rings. Thoroughly mixed epoxy putty was applied along the pin scaffold (the epoxy columns were 20–25 mm diameter) and allowed to set for 45 to 60 minutes. All animals were evaluated based on various clinical and radiographic observations made at regular intervals. Results The epoxy-pin fixation was easy to apply and provided stable fixation of bone as indicated by early weight bearing, and fracture healing within 45 to 60 days (17/32 cases). The functional recovery was good to very good in 14 animals and satisfactory in nine cases by 12 months after removal of the fixator. Conclusions The multiplanar epoxy-pin external skeletal fixation provides stable fixation of unstable open fractures distal to the stifle or elbow joint; hence, it can be used to treat a variety of fractures in calves and foals weighing up to approximately 100 kg, especially open infected fractures of lower limb, which are difficult to treat by conventional techniques.

Differentiating Sitting, Standing, and Walking Through Regional Plantar Pressure Characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohle Merry ◽  
Megan MacPherson ◽  
Evan Macdonald ◽  
Michael Ryan ◽  
Edward J. Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Heel Pain ◽  
Average Pressure ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Plantar Heel Pain ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Pressure Peak ◽  
Foot Function

Abstract Prolonged static weight bearing (WBR) is thought to aggravate plantar heel pain and is common in the workplace, which may put employees at greater risk of developing plantar heel pain. However, objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the workplace are lacking, making it difficult to establish or refute the connection between work exposure and plantar heel pain. Characterizing loading patterns during common workplace postures will enhance the understanding of foot function and inform the development of new measurement tools. Plantar pressure data during periods of sitting, standing, and walking were measured in ten healthy participants using the F-Scan in-shoe measurement system (Tekscan Inc, Boston, MA). Peak and average pressure, peak and average contact area, and average pressure differential were analyzed in ten different regions of the foot. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed the posture by foot region interaction for each measurement parameter; significant effects of posture by foot region were identified for all five measurement parameters. Ten foot region by measurement parameter combinations were found to significantly differentiate all three postures simultaneously; seven used pressure measures to differentiate while three used area measures. The heel, lateral midfoot (LM), and medial and central forefoot (CFF) encompassed nine of ten areas capable of differentiating all postures simultaneously. This work demonstrates that plantar pressure is a viable means to characterize and differentiate three common workplace postures. The results of this study can inform the development of measurement tools for quantifying posture duration at work.

scholarly journals Screw Versus Suture Button in Treatment of Syndesmosis Instability: Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Using PROMIS and Weight Bearing CT Scan

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0008
Author(s):  
Mohamed E. Abdelaziz ◽  
Noortje Hagemeijer ◽  
Daniel Guss ◽  
Ahmed El-Hawary ◽  
A. Holly Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Screw Fixation ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Pilon Fracture ◽  
P Values ◽  
Normal Side ◽  
Suture Button ◽  
Radiographic Outcomes ◽  
Injured Side

Category: Ankle, Sports, Trauma, Syndesmosis Introduction/Purpose: Traumatic injuries to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis are relatively common and can be associated with ankle fractures or occur as purely ligamentous injuries. Unstable syndesmotic injuries require surgical repair, generally performed using either screw or suture button fixation. The superiority of either fixation method remains a subject of ongoing debate. The aim of this study is to compare both clinical and radiographic outcomes of screw and suture button fixation of syndesmosis instability using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (ROMIS) and weight bearing CT scan (WBCT). Methods: Medical records were reviewed to identify patients who had a unilateral syndesmotic injury requiring surgical stabilization and who were at least one year out from injury. Exclusion criteria included patients less than 18 years old, ipsilateral pilon fracture, history of contralateral ankle or pilon fracture or syndesmosis injury, BMI >40, and any neurological impairment. Twenty eligible patients were recruited to complete PROMIS questionnaires and undergo bilateral WBCT scan of both ankles, divided into two groups. In the first group (n=10) the patients had undergone screw fixation of the syndesmosis, while in the second group (n=10) the syndesmosis was fixed using a suture button construct. All patients completed PROMIS questionnaires for pain intensity, pain interference, physical function and depression. Radiographic assessment was performed using axial images of WBCT scan of both the injured ankle and the contralateral normal side at a level one cm proximal to the tibial plafond (Figure 1). Results: At an average follow up of three years, none of the recruited patients required a revision surgery. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the four PROMIS questionnaires (P values ranged from 0.17 to 0.43). In the suture button group, the measurements of the injured side were significantly different from the normal side for the syndesmotic area (P=0.003), fibular rotation (P=0.004), anterior difference (P=0.025) and direct anterior difference (P=0.035). Other measurements of posterior difference, middle difference, direct posterior difference and fibular translation were not significantly different (P values ranged from 0.36 to 0.99). In the screw fixation group, the syndesmotic area was the only significantly different measurement in the injured side as compared to the normal side (P=0.006). Conclusion: Screw and suture button fixation for syndesmotic instability have similar clinical outcomes at average three years follow up as measured by PROMIS scores. Both screw and suture button did not entirely restore the syndesmotic area as compared to the contralateral normal ankle, suggesting some residual diastasis on weight bearing CT. In addition, as compared to screw fixation, the suture button did not seem to restore the normal fibular rotation, with residual external rotation of the fibula noted. Longer clinical follow up is necessary to understand the clinical implication of such malreduction.

A smart insole for monitoring plantar pressure based on the fiber Bragg grating sensing technique

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (17) ◽  
pp. 3433-3446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafique Ahmed Lakho ◽  
Zhang Yi-Fan ◽  
Jiang Jin-Hua ◽  
Hong Cheng-Yu ◽  
Zamir Ahmed Abro
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Fiber Bragg Grating ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Bragg Grating ◽  
Body Postures ◽  
Plantar Pressure Distribution ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Fbg Sensors ◽  
Smart Insole

The analysis of plantar pressure distribution is essential in the field of biomedical and sports-related applications. In this study, a smart insole was developed for the measurement of plantar pressure distribution and the evaluation of body postures using optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing technology. Four FBG sensors characterized by four different center Bragg wavelengths, 1528 ± 0.3, 1532 ± 0.3, 1535 ± 0.3 and 1539 ± 0.3 nm, were located at the first metatarsus, third metatarsus, fifth metatarsus and heel position, respectively. The measurement sensitivity of all the FBG sensors was 0.000412 nm/kPa, approximately. Silica gel material of modulus = 10 MPa was selected to incorporate the FBG sensors. All FBG sensors were multiplexed together with one optical fiber cable. The performance and functional properties of all FBG-based pressure sensors were calibrated in the laboratory to evaluate plantar pressure distribution. A male subject was selected for performing four tasks, namely standing in an upright position, leaning forward, squat position and forward fold. During standing tests, plantar pressure observed at the heel position was around 57% higher than that at the first and third metatarsus, while the pressure of the fifth metatarsus position presents minimal pressure, which is only 37% that of the pressure of the heel position. When the subject performs leaning forward, the squat position and forward fold posture, the first and third metatarsi show maximum pressure, while the pressure decreases at the fifth metatarsus position. However, almost zero pressure is observed at the heel position when the subject changes the body postures of leaning forward, squat and forward fold posture. The extreme pressure of the forward fold posture was 1750 kPa acquired at the first metatarsus, which is 52% and 62% higher than those at the fifth and third metatarsi, respectively. Therefore, the smart insole successfully recorded both plantar pressure distribution and body posture changes regarding the wavelength values collected by the FBG sensors.

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