Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 18
Displacement, internal stress and plantar pressure for an obese foot for toe-off position
Locomotion and support are feet primarily functions, being important their
analysis and study. This can be accomplished by studying data obtained from
force and pressure platforms, pressure insoles, computational processes associated
with mechanical methods, revealing information on pressure, strain, stress, ground
reaction force and other important parameters allowing a complete study of foot
dynamics. Some of aspects were illustrated in the previous sections.
Nowadays Sports, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Podology and Biome-
chanics, amongst others, are foot interventional areas looking to improve mea-
surement, methods and systems. As shown, experimental data taken from force
platforms can be integrated as load forces in a FEM foot simulation, after obtaining
the 3D foot model from CT images. The results will enable the development of
personalized orthoses, in order to optimize gait, relieving pain and discomfort, by
minimizing stress and pressure.
References
1. Antunes PJ, Dias GR et al (2007) Non-linear finite element modelling of anatomically detailed
3D foot model. Mimmics Innovation Awards 2007
2. Bernardini F, Rushmeier HE (2002) The 3D model acquisition pipeline. Comput Graph Forum
21(2):149-172
3. Bhatia MM, Patil KM (1999) New on-line parameters for analysis of dynamic foot pressures
in neuropathic feet of Hansen's disease subjects. J Rehabil Res Dev 36(3)
4. Birtane M, Tuna H (2004) The evaluation of plantar pressure distribution in obese and non-
obese adults. Clin Biomech 19:1055-1059
5. Burnfield JM, Tsai Y-J et al (2005) Comparison of utilized coefficient of friction during
different walking tasks in persons with and without a disability. Gait Posture 22:82-88
6. Bus SA, Ulbrecht JS et al (2004) Pressure relief and load redistribution by custom-made insoles
in diabetic patients with neuropathy and foot deformity. Clin Biomech 19(6):629-638
7. Cavanagh PR, Ulbrecht JS et al (2000) New developments in the biomechanics of the diabetic
foot. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 16(S1):S6-S10
8. Cham R, Redfern MS (2002) Changes in gait when anticipating slippery floors. Gait Posture
15:159-171
