• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.199-209
• /
• 2010

The locking compression plates-distal femur(LCP-DF) are being widely used for surgical management of the extra-articular complex fractures of the distal femur. They feature locking mechanism between the screws and the screw holes of the plate to provide stronger fixation force with less number of screws than conventional compression bone plate. However, their biomechanical efficacies are not fully understood, especially regarding the number of the screws inserted and their optimal configurations. In this study, we investigated effects of various screw configurations in the shaft and the condylar regions of the femur in relation to structural stability of LCP-DF system. For this purpose, a baseline 3-D finite element (FE) model of the femur was constructed from CT-scan images of a normal healthy male and was validated. The extra-articular complex fracture of the distal femur was made with a 4-cm defect. Surgical reduction with LCP-DF and bone screws were added laterally. To simulate various cases of post-op screw configurations, screws were inserted in the shaft (3~5 screws) and the condylar (4~6 screws) regions. Particular attention was paid at the shaft region where screws were inserted either in clustered or evenly-spaced fashion. Tied-contact conditions were assigned at the bone screws-plate whereas general contact condition was assumed at the interfaces between LCP-DF and bone screws. Axial compressive load of 1,610N(2.3 BW) was applied on the femoral head to reflect joint reaction force. An average of 5% increase in stiffness was found with increase in screw numbers (from 4 to 6) in the condylar region, as compared to negligible increase (less than 1%) at the shaft regardless of the number of screws inserted or its distribution, whether clustered or evenly-spaced. At the condylar region, screw insertion at the holes near the fracture interface and posterior locations contributed greater increase in stiffness (9~13%) than any other locations. Our results suggested that the screw insertion at the condylar region can be more effective than at the shaft during surgical treatment of fracture of the distal femur with LCP-DF. In addition, screw insertion at the holes close to the fracture interface should be accompanied to ensure better fracture healing.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of gender and load carriage difference on the lower extremity kinetics during stair descent. Ten healthy males and 10 healthy females were recruited (n=20). In the Maximum resultant velocity, it showed more velocity was decreased with difference by the change of gender (males>females) and load carriage (30%, 20%, 10%> 10%). And, resultant velocity showed interaction between gender and a load (load>gender). Main effect by gender during stair descent showed leg length was decreased in females than that of males at initial contact phase. Also, main effect by gender during stair descent showed more hip, knee flexed and plantar flexion of ankle joint in females than that of males. In the kinetics variables, main effect by gender during stair descent showed more higher reaction force of medial-lateral direction, and leg stiffness in males than that of females. We found that females successfully accommodated a load during stair descent by decreasing the range of motion of the hip joint angle and resultant velocity of movement. Males, on the other hand, require greater medial-lateral, vertical reaction force, and leg stiffness to accommodate a load, and control of momentum.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 2008

This study investigated gait characteristics, kinematics, and kinetics in the lower extremities between two different shoe conditions (high heeled shoes (7 cm), and high heeled shoes with a total contact insert (TCI)) after lower extremity muscle fatigue. Although TCI shave been applied in high heeled shoes to increase comfort and to decrease foot pressure, no study has attempted to identify the effects of TCI in fatigue conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking in high heeled shoes with TCI after lower extremity muscle fatigue was induced. This study was carried out in a motion analysis laboratory at Hanseo University. A volunteer sample of 14 healthy female subjects participated. All in fatigue conditions, the subjects were divided into two groups. The muscle fatigue was induced by 40 voluntary dorsi- and plantar-flexion exercises and 40 heel-rise exercises of the dominant foot. Surface electromyography was used to confirm the localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of three muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis). The results were as follows: (1) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI decreased the peak flexion angle of the hip joint significantly in the early stance phase (p<.05) and increased the peak hip flexion moment in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (2) In muscle fatigue conditions, the application of TCI also increased peak hip power generation in the early stance phase and peak hip power absorption in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (3) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI reduced the impact force significantly and increased the secondary peak vertical GRF. These findings suggest that the TCI may provide beneficial effects when muscle fatigue occurs for a high heeled shoe gait. Future research employing the patient population and various types of TCI materials are required to clarify the effects of TCI.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
• /
• 2011.10a
• /
• pp.3046-3051
• /
• 2011

The third-rail system is an important device supplying power directly to the Maglev train through physical contact with the collecting shoe. It is directly related to safety and reliability for the running of Maglev. However, most the third-rail system used in Korea depend on foreign product or technologies, Korea Urban Maglev in the development of appropriate power feeding is urgent. In particular, the turnout section is the weakness point in the system because bending force by turnout section movement and fatigue caused by repetitive motion as well as the expansion by temperature, the forces by Maglev collecting shoe is added th the third-rail. Therefore, this paper proposes the third-rail system appropriate for Korean Urban Maglev of turnout section. To verify the structural stability of POSCO ICT third-rail system, the finite element analysis and physical testing was performed. The third-rail is fixed on each side of the turn-out section steel structure by epoxy insulation supporter and the integral behaviors are occurred. Therefore, the maximum horizontal displacements of each support are investigated and then, it is applied to finite element model of the third-rail to investigate the moments and stress. Also, the bending test about one million times and Expansion Joint for the third-rail was performed. The third-rail system safety and reliability was identified by test line on Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials in Deajeon for under the actual usage environment such as the Maglev and turn-out operation.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.9 no.8
• /
• pp.301-309
• /
• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the neurocognitive ability and the risk factors of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries during landing in female recreational athletes. Thirty-two female athletes participated in computerized neurocognition test and motion analysis for drop vertical jump. Pearson's linear correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the raw scores of neurocognition test and biomechanical variables including 3D joint angle, moment, power, vertical ground reaction force, loading rate, and support time. There were correlations between the scores of neurocognition test and biomechanical variables as high the neurocognition score, it also increase landing strategies were used to maintain posture of the lower extremity. Therefore, the neurocognitive test might be used as a good screening method to detect the risk factors before injury.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.814-823
• /
• 2011

Nowadays many neurological diseases such as stroke and Parkinson diseases are continually increasing. Orthotic devices as well as exoskeletons have been widely developed for supporting movement assistance and therapy of patients. Robotic knee orthosis can compensate stiff-knee gait of the paralyzed limb and can provide patients consistent assistance at wearable environments. With keeping a robotic orthosis wearable, however, it is not easy to develop a compact and safe actuator with fast rotation and high torque for consistent supports of patients during walking. In this paper, we propose a novel kinematic model for a robotic knee orthosis to drive a knee joint with independent actuation during swing and stance phases, which can allow an actuator with fast rotation to control swing motions and an actuator with high torque to control stance motions, respectively. The suggested kinematic model is composed of a hamstring device with a slide-crank mechanism, a quadriceps device with five-bar/six-bar links, and a patella device for knee covering. The quadriceps device operates in five-bar links with 2-dof motions during swing phase and is changed to six-bar links during stance phase by the contact motion to the patella device. The hamstring device operates in a slider-crank mechanism for entire gait cycle. The kinematics and velocity/force relations are analyzed for the quadriceps and hamstring devices. Finally, the adequate actuators for the suggested kinematic model are designed based on normal gait requirements. The suggested kinematic model will allow a robotic knee orthosis to use compact and light actuators with full support during walking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.85-90
• /
• 2013

Efficient gait is compensate for a lack of exercise, but the wrong walking can cause disease that joints, muscles, brain and body structure(Scott & Winter, 1990). Also many researchers has been studied gait of positive mechanism using analytical methods kinetic, kinematic. This study is to identify nature of knee adduction moment, depending on different foot progression angle and the movement of rotation of pelvis and body. Health study subject conducted intended walking with three different angles. The subjects of this study classified three types of walking; walk erect, pigeon-toed walk and an out-toed gait. Ten university students of K without previous operation and disease record selected for this study. For accuracy of this study, three types of walking carried out five times with 3D image analysis and using analysis of ground reaction force to analyze nature of knee adduction moment and the movement of rotation of pelvis and body. Firstly, the HC(heel contact) section value of intended walk erect, pigeon-toed walk and an out-toed gait was not shown statistically significant difference but TO(toe off) section value was shown that the pigeon-toed walk statistically significant. The value of pigeon-toed walk was smallest knee adduction moment(p< 0.005). Secondly, X axis was the change of rotation movement body and pelvis when walk erect, pigeon-toed walk and an out-toed gait. Shown statistically Y axis was not shown statistically significant but Z axis statistically significant(p<0.05). These result show the significant differences on TO section when walking moment reaches HC, it decides the walking types and rotates the foot.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.12 no.9
• /
• pp.3834-3842
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to analyze the kinematic characteristics of children with Down syndrome got congenitally joint laxity and muscle hypotonic. The subjects are boys with Down syndrome and don't have the other disabilities. We got three dimensional position data and then calculated spatiotemporal and kinematic variables during walking on treadmill used increasingly for gait analysis and training. In result, in order to overcome their gait instability due to their musculoskeletal characteristics they walked with hip, knee and ankle joints more flexed than the typical gait pattern, and on the propulsion phase they extend the lower limb joints less than the typical, result in propel the body less than. The reason is that the more is the propulsion by extending the joints, the greater is the reaction force from the ground on heel contact. This result is expected to be used to develop the training program for intensification of musculoskeletal system aim to improve the other musculoskeletal disabilities as well as Down syndrome.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.420-430
• /
• 2022

Open bite is accompanied by decrease in tooth contact and overbite, and causes collapse of occlusal plane, mastication difficulties, speech disorders, changes in appearance, and lower occlusal force than normal. Open bite caused by temporomandibular joint disorder in adults with complete occlusion must be corrected after removal or stabilization of the causative factors. Orthodontic treatment, occlusal adjustment, prosthetic treatment, and surgical treatment can be the option of occlusal correction. This report describes about estimating the cause of occlusion change in two patients who developed an open bite due to mandibular displacement in adults with complete occlusion and different treatment approaches accordingly. In one patient, satisfactory result was obtained in functional and esthetic aspects through occlusal adjustment after stabilization of the temporomandibular joint.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.441-448
• /
• 2014

From several researches, recently, it was found that using hollowed precast concrete (HPC) column made more compact concrete casting in joint region possible than using normal solid PC (Precast concrete) column. Therefore, the rigidity of joints can be improved like those of monolithic reinforced concrete (RC). After filling the hollow with grout concrete, however, it is expected that the HPC column behaviors like composite structure since PC element and grout concrete have different materials as well as there is a contact surface between two elements. These may affect the structural behavior and strength of the composite column. A compressive strength test was performed for the HPC column with parameter of hollow ratio for the case with and without grout in the hollow and the result is presented in this paper. The hollow ratios in the test are 35, 50 and 59% of whole section of column. Concentrated axial force was applied to top of the specimens supported as pin connection for both ends. In addition, finite element (FE) analysis was performed to simulate the failure behavior of HPC column for axial compression. As a result, it was found that the hollow ratio did not affect the initial stiffness of HPC filled with grout regardless of the strength difference of HPC and grout. However the strength was increased inversely corresponding to the hollow ratio. The structural capacity of HPC without grout closely related to the hollow size. Especially, the local collapse governs the overall failure when the thickness of HPC is too thin. Based on these effect, a suitable equation was suggested for calculation of the compressive strength of HPC column with or without grout. FE analysis considering the contact surface between HPC and grout produced a good result matched to the test result.