Multi-modal framework for subject-specific finite element model generation aimed at pressure ulcer prevention.

International audienceThis study outlines a methodology aiming at the definition of an individual and personalised pressure ulcer risk assessment scale based on patient-specific biomechanical modellin

Multi-Modal Framework for Subject-Specific Finite Element Modeling of the Buttocks

International audienceIn order to produce high quality personalized FE models, it is necessary to resort to medical imaging and acquire the most relevant possible description of the modeled morphology. Yet building a FE model from a medical data set can be a challenging and time consuming task. To overcome the commonly encountered problems, this paper introduces a "mesh warping" approach chosen for its versatility. A biomechanical finite element model of the buttocks soft tissues is generated for an efficient prevention of pressure ulcers

Buttock pressure management of able-bodied people seated on a rigid surface for two hours.

International audienceIt is now well known that deep pressure ulcers are due to excessive pressure intensity (leading to soft tissues internal strains above 50 % for some minutes) and prolonged compression (leading to internal strains above 20 % for about two hours). This paper aims at better understanding why able-bodied individuals put in quite extreme conditions (i.e seated for 2 hours long on a rigid surface) do not get pressure ulcers. Thirty young healthy subjects agreed to stay seated on a rigid surface during two hours while watching a movie. The buttocks/seat interface pressures were recorded by a pressure mapping system

Modéliser les tissus mous pour mieux prévenir les escarres.

National audienceLa prévalence des escarres du blessé médullaire reste aujourd'hui très (trop) importante. Quatre briques devraient selon nous être assemblées pour constituer un dispositif efficace de prévention des escarres : (1) la présence d'un support optimisant la répartition des pressions de surface, (2) la mesure en continu de ces pressions de surface, (3) l'estimation des déformations internes aux tissus mous avec (4) la détection d'un risque d'escarre et l'envoi d'une alerte en direction de la personne. Cet article focalise sur les trois dernières briques qui restent à assembler pour construire un dispositif efficace de prévention des escarres

Dynamic biomechanical modelling for foot ulcer prevention.

International audienceThis paper introduces a 3D Dynamic Finite Element biomechanical model of the human foot used for diabetic foot pressure ulcer prevention. The model estimates the internal strains and send an alert to the user in case of high strains values

Smart Diabetic Socks: Embedded device for diabetic foot prevention

1) Objectives Most foot ulcers are the consequence of a trauma (repetitive high stress, ill-fitting footwear, or an object inside the shoe) associated to diabetes. They are often followed by amputation and shorten life expectancy. This paper describes the prototype of the Smart Diabetic Socks that has been developed in the context of the French ANR TecSan project. The objective is to prevent pressure foot ulcers for diabetic persons. 2) Material and methods A fully wireless, customizable and washable "smart sock" has been designed. It is made of a textile which fibers are knitted in a way they provide measurements of the pressure exerted under and all around the foot in real-life conditions. This device is coupled with a subject-specific Finite Element foot model that simulates the internal strains within the soft tissues of the foot. 3) Results A number of derived stress indicators can be computed based on that analysis, such as the accumulated stress dose, high internal strains or peak pressures near bony prominences during gait. In case of risks for pressure ulcer, an alert is sent to the person and/or to the clinician. A watch, a smart-phone or a distant laptop can be used for providing such alert

Pressure Sores Prevention for Paraplegic People: Effects of Visual, Auditory and Tactile Supplementations on Overpressures Distribution in Seated Posture

This paper presents a study on the usage of different informative modalities as biofeedbacks of a perceptual supplementation device aiming at reducing overpressure at the buttock area. Visual, audio and lingual electrotactile modalities are analysed and compared with a non-biofeedback session. In conclusion, sensory modalities have a positive and equal effect, but they are not equally judged in terms of comfort and disturbance with some other activities

Device intended for measuring pressure from a flexible, foldable, and/or extendable object made of a textile material and comprising a measurement device

The present invention relates to a device for measuring the pressure and/or the tension exerted at different points of a flexible, foldable and/or extensible textile material capable of being used as a garment, lapel, or the like; said device is remarkable in that it includes, on the one hand, at least one sensor obtained from a single layer (1), formed of an arrangement of at least three types of fibers, piezoresistive fibers forming piezoresistive areas (2), conductive fibers forming electrically-conductive areas (3), and insulating fibers forming electrically-insulating areas (4) and, on the other hand, an electronic circuit (5) capable of measuring the electric resistance variation of the piezoresistive areas submitted to one or several forces

Using Sensory Substitution of Median Sensory Deficits in the Traumatized Hand to Develop an Innovative Home-Based Hand Rehabilitation System

International audiencePost-traumatic median nerve sensitive deficits are frequent. They are a source of permanent handicap that dramatically decreases the level of autonomy and the quality of life of persons suffering from these deficits. Surgical repair is possible, but the results are not always functionally useful. Therefore, prosthetic approaches do represent an alternative solution that needs to be explored. Along these lines, this paper describes an innovative home-based hand rehabilitation system device that exploits sensory substitution of median sensory deficits in the traumatized hand. It is composed of a glove bearing smart textile pressure sensors and a wristband providing vibratory biofeedback to the user. The goal of this sensory-substitution system is to provide for patients an effective method to compensate the lack of sensitivity of the finger pads and to recover a functional hand use. This innovative system is intended to be employed for assessment, training and rehabilitation exercises at home

Using sensory substitution of median sensory deficits in the traumatized hand to develop an innovative home- based hand rehabilitation system

Abstract. Post-traumatic median nerve sensitive deficits are frequent. They are a source of permanent handicap that dramatically decreases the level of autonomy and the quality of life of persons suffering from these deficits. Surgical repair is possible, but the results are not always functionally useful. Therefore, prosthetic approaches do represent an alternative solution that needs to be explored. Along these lines, this paper describes an innovative homebased hand rehabilitation system device that exploits sensory substitution of median sensory deficits in the traumatized hand. It is composed of a glove bearing smart textile pressure sensors and a wristband providing vibratory biofeedback to the user. The goal of this sensory-substitution system is to provide for patients an effective method to compensate the lack of sensitivity of the finger pads and to recover a functional hand use. This innovative system is intended to be employed for assessment, training and rehabilitation exercises at home