scholarly journals Design of a Single Layer Metamaterial for Pressure Offloading of Transtibial Amputees

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan K. Brown ◽  
Meredith Owen ◽  
Anthony Garland ◽  
John D. DesJardins ◽  
Georges Fadel
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Prosthetic Socket ◽  
Limb Loading ◽  
Large Pressure ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
Transtibial Amputees

Abstract While using a prosthesis, transtibial amputees can experience pain and discomfort brought on by large pressure gradients at the interface between the residual limb and prosthetic socket. Current prosthetic interface solutions attempt to alleviate these pressure gradients by using soft homogenous liners to reduce and distribute pressures. This research investigates an additively manufactured metamaterial inlay with a tailored mechanical response to reduce peak pressure gradients around the limb. The inlay uses a hyperelastic behaving metamaterial (US10244818) comprised of triangular pattern unit cells which can be 3D printed with walls of various thicknesses controlled by draft angles. The hyperelastic material properties are modeled using a Yeoh 3rd order model. The 3rd order coefficients can be adjusted and optimized, which corresponds to a change in the unit cell wall thickness to create an inlay that can meet the unique offloading needs of an amputee. Finite element analysis simulations evaluated the pressure gradient reduction from: 1) a common homogenous silicone liner, 2) a prosthetist's inlay prescription that utilizes three variations of the metamaterial, and 3) a metamaterial solution with optimized Yeoh 3rd order coefficients. When compared to a traditional homogenous silicone liner for two unique limb loading scenarios, the prosthetist prescribed inlay and the optimized material inlay can achieve equal or greater pressure gradient reduction capabilities. These results show the potential feasibility of implementing this metamaterial as a method of personalized medicine for transtibial amputees by creating a customizable interface solution to meet the unique performance needs of an individual patient.

scholarly journals Metamaterial Design for Targeted Limb-Socket Interface Pressure Offloading in Transtibial Amputees

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Brown ◽  
Meredith K. Owen ◽  
John D. DesJardins ◽  
Anthony Garland ◽  
Georges M. Fadel
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Prosthetic Socket ◽  
Limb Loading ◽  
Large Pressure ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Transtibial Amputees ◽  
Socket Interface

Abstract While using a prosthesis, transtibial amputees can experience pain and discomfort brought on by large pressure gradients, at the interface between the residual limb and prosthetic socket. Current prosthetic interface solutions attempt to alleviate these pressure gradients by using soft homogenous liners to reduce and distribute pressures. This research investigates an additively manufactured metamaterial inlay with adjustable mechanical response in order to reduce peak pressure gradients around the limb. The inlay uses a hyperelastic behaving metamaterial (US10244818) comprised of triangular pattern unit cells which can be 3D printed with walls of various thicknesses controlled by draft angles. The hyperelastic material properties are modeled using a third order representation based on Yeoh 3rd order coefficients. The 3rd order coefficients can be adjusted and optimized to represent a change in the unit cell wall thickness to create an inlay that can meet the unique offloading needs of an amputee. Finite element analyses evaluated the pressure gradient reduction from: 1) A common homogenous silicone liner, 2) A prosthetist’s inlay prescription that utilizes three variations of the metamaterial, and 3) A metamaterial solution with optimized Yeoh 3rd order coefficients. When compared to a traditional homogenous silicone liner for two unique limb loading scenarios, the prosthetist prescribed inlay and optimized material inlay can achieve equal or greater pressure gradient reduction capabilities. These results show the potential feasibility of implementing this metamaterial as a method of personalized medicine for transtibial amputees by creating customizable interface solution to the meet unique performance needs of an individual patient.

Pressure Gradients Affecting the Labyrinth during Hypobaric Pressure

1997 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrád S. Konrádsson ◽  
Björn I. R. Carlborg ◽  
Joseph C. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Cochlear Aqueduct ◽  
Fluid Compartment ◽  
Large Pressure ◽  
Fluid Compartments ◽  
Pressure Changes ◽  
Considerable Pressure

Hypobaric effects on the perilymph pressure were investigated in 18 cats. The perilymph, tympanic cavity, cerebrospinal fluid, and systemic and ambient pressure changes were continuously recorded relative to the atmospheric pressure. The pressure equilibration of the eustachian tube and the cochlear aqueduct was studied, as well as the effects of blocking these channels. During ascent, the physiologic opening of the eustachian tube reduced the pressure gradients across the tympanic membrane. The patent cochlear aqueduct equilibrated perilymph pressure to cerebrospinal fluid compartment levels with a considerable pressure gradient across the oval and round windows. With the aqueduct blocked, the pressure decrease within the labyrinth and tympanic cavities was limited, resulting in large pressure gradients toward the chamber and the cerebrospinal fluid compartments, respectively. We conclude that closed cavities with limited pressure release capacities are the cause of the pressure gradients. The strain exerted by these pressure gradients is potentially harmful to the ear.

scholarly journals Discrete element analysis of the punching behaviour of a secured drapery system: from laboratory characterization to idealized in situ conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Pol ◽  
Fabio Gabrieli ◽  
Lorenzo Brezzi
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Steel Wire ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Steel Plates ◽  
Loading Conditions ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Wire Meshes

AbstractIn this work, the mechanical response of a steel wire mesh panel against a punching load is studied starting from laboratory test conditions and extending the results to field applications. Wire meshes anchored with bolts and steel plates are extensively used in rockfall protection and slope stabilization. Their performances are evaluated through laboratory tests, but the mechanical constraints, the geometry and the loading conditions may strongly differ from the in situ conditions leading to incorrect estimations of the strength of the mesh. In this work, the discrete element method is used to simulate a wire mesh. After validation of the numerical mesh model against experimental data, the punching behaviour of an anchored mesh panel is investigated in order to obtain a more realistic characterization of the mesh mechanical response in field conditions. The dimension of the punching element, its position, the anchor plate size and the anchor spacing are varied, providing analytical relationships able to predict the panel response in different loading conditions. Furthermore, the mesh panel aspect ratio is analysed showing the existence of an optimal value. The results of this study can provide useful information to practitioners for designing secured drapery systems, as well as for the assessment of their safety conditions.

scholarly journals A numerical investigation on impulse-induced nonlinear longitudinal waves in pantographic beams

2021 ◽  
pp. 108128652110108
Author(s):  
Emilio Turco ◽  
Emilio Barchiesi ◽  
Francesco dell’Isola
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Integration Scheme ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Longitudinal Waves ◽  
Deformation Regime ◽  
Impulsive Loads ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
Statics And Dynamics ◽  
Equations Of Motions

This contribution presents the results of a campaign of numerical simulations aimed at better understanding the propagation of longitudinal waves in pantographic beams within the large-deformation regime. Initially, we recall the key features of a Lagrangian discrete spring model, which was introduced in previous works and that was tested extensively as capable of accurately forecasting the mechanical response of structures based on the pantographic motif, both in statics and dynamics. Successively, a stepwise integration scheme used to solve equations of motions is briefly discussed. The key content of the present contribution concerns the thorough presentation of some selected numerical simulations, which focus in particular on the propagation of stretch profiles induced by impulsive loads. The study takes into account different tests, by varying the number of unit cells, i.e., the total length of the system, spring stiffnesses, the shape of the impulse, as well as its properties such as duration and peak amplitude, and boundary conditions. Some conjectures about the form of traveling waves are formulated, to be confirmed by both further numerical simulations and analytical investigations.

Scanner influence on the mechanical response of QCT-based finite element analysis of long bones

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 149-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yekutiel Katz ◽  
Gal Dahan ◽  
Jacob Sosna ◽  
Ilan Shelef ◽  
Evgenia Cherniavsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Long Bones ◽  
Element Analysis

scholarly journals Organizing Cells Within Non-Periodic Microarchitectured Materials That Achieve Graded Thermal Expansions

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan B. Hopkins ◽  
Lucas A. Shaw ◽  
Todd H. Weisgraber ◽  
George R. Farquar ◽  
Christopher D. Harvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Thermal Expansion ◽  
Young’S Modulus ◽  
Young's Modulus ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Thermal Expansion Coefficients ◽  
Large Lattice ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
Expansion Coefficients ◽  
Bulk Behavior

The aim of this paper is to introduce an approach for optimally organizing a variety of different unit cell designs within a large lattice such that the bulk behavior of the lattice exhibits a desired Young’s modulus with a graded change in thermal expansion over its geometry. This lattice, called a graded microarchitectured material, can be sandwiched between two other materials with different thermal expansion coefficients to accommodate their different expansions or contractions caused by changing temperature while achieving a desired uniform stiffness. First, this paper provides the theory necessary to calculate the thermal expansion and Young’s modulus of large multi-material lattices that consist of periodic (i.e., repeating) unit cells of the same design. Then it introduces the theory for calculating the graded thermal expansions of a large multimaterial lattice that consists of non-periodic unit cells of different designs. An approach is then provided for optimally designing and organizing different unit cells within a lattice such that both of its ends achieve the same thermal expansion as the two materials between which the lattice is sandwiched. A MATLAB tool is used to generate images of the undeformed and deformed lattices to verify their behavior and various examples are provided as case studies. The theory provided is also verified and validated using finite element analysis and experimentation.

scholarly journals Determinants of valve gating in collecting lymphatic vessels from rat mesentery

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (1) ◽  
pp. H48-H60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Davis ◽  
Elaheh Rahbar ◽  
Anatoliy A. Gashev ◽  
David C. Zawieja ◽  
James E. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Lymphatic Vessels ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Intraluminal Pressure ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Rat Mesentery ◽  
Temporal Relationships ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Valve Opening

Secondary lymphatic valves are essential for minimizing backflow of lymph and are presumed to gate passively according to the instantaneous trans-valve pressure gradient. We hypothesized that valve gating is also modulated by vessel distention, which could alter leaflet stiffness and coaptation. To test this hypothesis, we devised protocols to measure the small pressure gradients required to open or close lymphatic valves and determine if the gradients varied as a function of vessel diameter. Lymphatic vessels were isolated from rat mesentery, cannulated, and pressurized using a servo-control system. Detection of valve leaflet position simultaneously with diameter and intraluminal pressure changes in two-valve segments revealed the detailed temporal relationships between these parameters during the lymphatic contraction cycle. The timing of valve movements was similar to that of cardiac valves, but only when lymphatic vessel afterload was elevated. The pressure gradients required to open or close a valve were determined in one-valve segments during slow, ramp-wise pressure elevation, either from the input or output side of the valve. Tests were conducted over a wide range of baseline pressures (and thus diameters) in passive vessels as well as in vessels with two levels of imposed tone. Surprisingly, the pressure gradient required for valve closure varied >20-fold (0.1–2.2 cmH2O) as a passive vessel progressively distended. Similarly, the pressure gradient required for valve opening varied sixfold with vessel distention. Finally, our functional evidence supports the concept that lymphatic muscle tone exerts an indirect effect on valve gating.

Mechanical Design, Additive Manufacturing, and Performance of Equal Volume Metamaterials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richárd Horváth ◽  
Vendel Barth ◽  
Viktor Gonda ◽  
Mihály Réger ◽  
Imre Felde
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Energy Absorption ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
And Performance

Abstract In this paper, we study the energy absorption of metamaterials composed of unit cells whose special geometry makes the cross-sectional area and the volume of the bodies generated from them constant (for the same enclosing box dimensions). After a parametric description of such special geometries, we analyzed by finite element analysis the deformation of the metamaterials we have designed during compression. We 3D printed the designed metamaterials from plastic to subject them to real compression. The results of the finite element analysis were compared with the real compaction results. Then, for each test specimen, we plotted its compaction curve. By fitting a polynomial to the compaction curves and integrating it (area under the curve), the energy absorption of the samples can be obtained. As a result of these investigations, we drew a conclusion about the relationship between energy absorption and cell number.

Protein osmotic pressure gradients and microvascular reflection coefficients

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (2) ◽  
pp. H997-H1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Drake ◽  
S. Dhother ◽  
R. A. Teague ◽  
J. C. Gabel
Keyword(s):  
Reflection Coefficient ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Osmotic Pressure ◽  
Reflection Coefficients ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Fluid Filtration ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Osmotic Reflection Coefficient ◽  
New Equation ◽  
Osmotic Pressure Gradient

Microvascular membranes are heteroporous, so the mean osmotic reflection coefficient for a microvascular membrane (sigma d) is a function of the reflection coefficient for each pore. Investigators have derived equations for sigma d based on the assumption that the protein osmotic pressure gradient across the membrane (delta II) does not vary from pore to pore. However, for most microvascular membranes, delta II probably does vary from pore to pore. In this study, we derived a new equation for sigma d. According to our equation, pore-to-pore differences in delta II increase the effect of small pores and decrease the effect of large pores on the overall membrane osmotic reflection coefficient. Thus sigma d for a heteroporous membrane may be much higher than previously derived equations indicate. Furthermore, pore-to-pore delta II differences increase the effect of plasma protein osmotic pressure to oppose microvascular fluid filtration.

scholarly journals Simulation Analysis on Water’s Micro Seepage Laws under Different Pressure Gradients Using Computed Tomography Method

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Zhou ◽  
Lei Qiu ◽  
Wenzheng Zhang ◽  
Jiao Xue
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Effective Porosity ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Seepage Velocity ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Tomography Method ◽  
Insight Into

The aim of this paper was to develop a model that can characterize the actual micropore structures in coal and gain an in-depth insight into water’s seepage rules in coal pores under different pressure gradients from a microscopic perspective. To achieve this goal, long-flame coals were first scanned by an X-ray 3D microscope; then, through a representative elementary volume (REV) analysis, the optimal side length was determined to be 60 μm; subsequently, by using Avizo software, the coal’s micropore structures were acquired. Considering that the porosity varies in the same coal sample, this study selected four regions in the sample for an in-depth analysis. Moreover, numerical simulations on water’s seepage behaviors in coal under 30 different pressure gradients were performed. The results show that (1) the variation of the simulated seepage velocity and pressure gradient accorded with Forchheimer’s high-velocity nonlinear seepage rules; (2) the permeability did not necessarily increase with the increase of the effective porosity; (3) in the same model, under different pressure gradients, the average seepage pressure decreased gradually, while the average seepage velocity and average mass flow varied greatly with the increase of the seepage length; and (4) under the same pressure gradient, the increase of the average mass flow from the inlet to the outlet became more significant under a higher inlet pressure.

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