In-Vivo Investigation of the Medial Longitudinal Arch of the Foot and Orthotic Interactions using Bi-Planar Fluoroscopy

Orthotic devices are a conservative treatment for common disorders of the foot and ankle such as pes planus and pes cavus. It is thought that orthotics change the kinematics of the foot by applying forces and constraint on the plantar surface, which can act to change body biomechanics and correct for malalignment in the legs and trunk. This thesis compares the angle of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) between three foot types: pes planus (low arch), pes cavus (high arch) and normal arch, during barefoot and shoed walking, and walking with orthotics. In-vivo bi-planar fluoroscopy was used with markerless radiostereometric analysis (RSA) to measure an angle that defines the MLA with the greatest accuracy to date. MLA angles were significantly smaller (

Investigation of in-vivo hindfoot and orthotic interactions using bi-planar x-ray fluoroscopy

A markerless RSA method was used to determine the effect of orthotics on the normal, pes planus and pes cavus populations. Computed tomography (CT) was used to create bone models that were imported into the virtual environment. Joint coordinate systems were developed to measure kinematic changes in the hindfoot during weight-bearing gait and quiet standing. The objectives of this thesis were to (1) implement a fluoroscopy-based markerless RSA system on the foot, (2) determine the effect of various orthotics at midstance of fully weight-bearing dynamic gait, and (3) determine the effect of orthotics as measured using three different techniques. Every individual in this study reacted differently depending on the footwear condition tested. Despite the change in alignment caused by orthotics lacking statistical significance it appears the change may be significant with more subjects. Fluoroscopy should enable substantial improvements in orthotic design for optimal results in the future

Small unmanned airborne systems to support oil and gas pipeline monitoring and mapping

Acknowledgments We thank Johan Havelaar, Aeryon Labs Inc., AeronVironment Inc. and Aeronautics Inc. for kindly permitting the use of materials in Fig. 1.Peer reviewedPublisher PD