A device for characterising the mechanical properties of the plantar soft tissue of the foot

Parker, DJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9952-1225, Cooper, G, Pearson, S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1503-5452, Crofts, GS, Howard, D ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1738-0698, Busby, P and Nester, CJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1688-320X 2015, 'A device for characterising the mechanical properties of the plantar soft tissue of the foot' , Medical Engineering & Physics, 37 (11) , pp. 1098-1104.

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Abstract

The plantar soft tissue is a highly functional viscoelastic structure involved in transferring load to the human body during walking. A Soft Tissue Response Imaging Device was developed to apply a vertical compression to the plantar soft tissue whilst measuring the mechanical response via a combined load cell and ultrasound imaging arrangement. Accuracy of motion compared to input profiles; validation of the response measured for standard materials in compression; variability of force and displacement measures for consecutive compressive cycles; and implementation in vivo with five healthy participants. Static displacement displayed average error of 0.04 mm (range of 15 mm), and static load displayed average error of 0.15 N (range of 250 N). Validation tests showed acceptable agreement compared to a Houndsfield tensometer for both displacement (CMC > 0.99 RMSE > 0.18 mm) and load (CMC > 0.95 RMSE < 4.86 N). Device motion was highly repeatable for bench-top tests (ICC = 0.99) and participant trials (CMC = 1.00). Soft tissue response was found repeatable for intra (CMC > 0.98) and inter trials (CMC > 0.70). The device has been shown to be capable of implementing complex loading patterns similar to gait, and of capturing the compressive response of the plantar soft tissue for a range of loading conditions in vivo.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	Medical Engineering & Physics
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1350-4533
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	SSL International Ltd
Depositing User:	Professor Christopher Nester
Date Deposited:	09 Dec 2015 11:26
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 20:04
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/37399

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