• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metatarsal pad (MP) compared with barefoot and MP with using different insoles on gait. 15 healthy females who had no history of injury in the lower extremity with an average age of 22.7 year(SD=1.35), height of 160 cm(SD=3.4), weight of 48.8 kg(SD=5.52) and average foot size of 232.5 mm(SD=6.8) participated in this study as the subjects. The subjects walked on a treadmill under four different experimental conditions: 1) walking with barefoot, 2) walking wearing MP 3) walking wearing a soft insole with MP(SIMP), 4) walking wearing a rigid insole with MP(HIMP). During walking, foot pressure data such as force, contacting area, peak pressure, and mean pressure was collected using Pedar-X System(Novel Gmbh, Germany) and EMG activity of lower limb muscles such as tibialis anterior(TA), lateral gastrocnemius(LG), rectus femoris(RF), and musculus biceps femoris(MBF) was gathered using Delsys EMG Work System(Delsys, USA). Collected data was then analyzed using paired t-test in order to investigate the effects of each of experimental conditions. As a result of the analysis, when MP and HIMP were equipped, overall contacting area was increased while the force, peak pressure and the mean pressure were decreased. Especially, when the SIMP was equipped, every data were significantly decreased. In case of EMG, wearing MP, SIMP and HIMP made three muscles(TA, LG, RF)'s activity decrease. A result of the analysis will be able to apply for manufacturing functional shoes, diabetes shoes, senior shoes and lower extremity orthosis. Significance of the study due to a metatarsal pad and the insole is to analyze the changes in muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.4689-4696
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate biomechanical characteristics of trekking shoes using 3D Bootie method as mimics barefoot form of F Co. that provides the best comfort and plantar pressure dispersion. The control group is normal trekking shoes of M Co. and K Co.. 13 healthy males measured the foot pressure, EMG and GRF. Collected data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA in order to investigate the effects of each trekking shoes. The results are as follows: Trekking shoe of F Co. was significantly wider in contact area than others at MF and significantly lower in maximum force, peak pressure than others at RF. In the case of muscle activity, acted in the same way as the effect of barefoot walking. In the case of GRF, effectively absorbed the impact force, so it is possible to efficient walking. As a result of the analysis, trekking shoe using of 3D Bootie method of F Co. can be efficient walking by reducing the load of foot during walking.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

Recently, flexible cages have been introduced in an attempt to absorb and reduce the abnormal load transfer along the anterior parts of the spine. They are designed to be used with the pedicle screw systems to allow some mobility at the index level while containing ROM at the adjacent level. In this study, a finite element (FE) study was performed to assess biomechanical efficacies of the flexible cage when combined with pedicle screws with flexible rods. The post-operated models were constructed by modifying the L4-5 of a previously-validated 3-D FE model of the intact lumbar spine (L2-S1): (1) Type 1, flexible cage only; (2) Type 2, pedicle screws with flexible rods; (3) Type 3, interbody fusion cage plus pedicle screws with rigid rods; (4) Type 4, interbody fusion cage plus Type 2; (5) Type 5, Type 1 plus Type 2. Flexion/extension of 10 Nm with a compressive follower load of 400N was applied. As compared to the Type 3 (62~65%) and Type 4 (59~62%), Type 5 (53~55%) was able to limit the motion at the operated level effectively, despite moderate reduction at the adjacent level. It was also able to shift the load back to the anterior portions of the spine thus relieving excessively high posterior load transfer and to reduce stress on the endplate by absorbing the load with its flexible shape design features. The likelihood of component failure of flexble cage remained less than 30% regardless of loading conditions when combined with pedicle screws with flexible rods. Our study demonstrated that flexible cages when combined with posterior dynamic system may help reduce subsidence of cage and degeneration process at the adjacent levels while effectively providing stability at the operated level.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.149-157
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• 2009

The purpose of this project was to determine biomechanical differences between Type A(Korean brand) and Type B(world top brand) badminton shoes and to make recommendations to improve the fit and function of Type A badminton shoes. Measurements of shoe shape and dimensions, foot movement within the shoe, cushioning of ground reaction forces, in-shoe pressure and outsole traction were performed. In addition, subjective feedback of the fit and function of the shoes was quantified for 17 recreational badminton players. Type A shoe had a much higher heel and shallower heel cup, so the heel was not secured well in the shoe and the ankle joint was higher off the ground. Foot slippage was up to 40% greater in Type A shoe than Type B shoe. Impact forces and peak pressures under the foot were generally higher with Type A shoe compared to Type B shoe. The flexion axis of Type A shoe occurred in the midfoot, not at the ball of the foot like Type B shoe, where you would want the shoe flexion to occur. In summary, there are several characteristics where A Type shoe and B Type differ. Therefore, a few recommendations are provided to help improve the fit and function of A Type shoe.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.308-318
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of fractured adjacent soft tissue during closed reduction after forearm fracture using the finite element method. To accomplish this, a finite element (FE) model of the forearm including soft tissue was constructed, and the material properties reported in previous studies were implemented. Based on this, nine finite element models with different fracture types and fracture positions, which are the main parameters, were subjected to finite element analysis under the same load and boundary conditions. The load condition simulated the traction of increasing the fracture site spacing from 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm at intervals of 0.4 mm at the distal end of the radioulnar bone. Through the finite element analysis, the fracture type, fracture location, and displacement were compared and analyzed for the fracture site spacing of the fractured portion and the maximum equivalent stress of the soft tissues adjacent to the fracture(interosseous membrane, muscle, fat, and skin). The results of this study are as follows. The effect of the major parameters on the fracture site spacing of the fractured part is negligible. Also, from the displacement of 1.2 mm, the maximum equivalent stress of the interosseous membrane and muscle adjacent to the fractured bone exceeds the ultimate tensile strength of the material. In addition, it was confirmed that the maximum equivalent stresses of soft tissues(fat, skin) were different in size but similar in trend. As a result, this study was able to numerically confirm the damage to the adjacent soft tissue due to the fracture site spacing during closed reduction of forearm fracture.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2023

The tendon is a dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and plays an essential role in joint motion. The injured tendon heals slowly owing to its low cellularity and vascularity. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of regenerative injection therapy (RIT), 20 % dextrose prolotherapy (DP), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that can promote tendon healing. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were divided into the control, DP, and PRP treatment groups. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the right hindlimb of each rabbit was used. A round defect of 2 mm was induced. Approximately 0.2 mL of 20% dextrose and autologous PRP were injected into the proximal and distal ends of the SDFT mass. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination and cross-sectional area (CSA) calculations were performed pre-operatively and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The SDFT of both limbs was transected for biomechanical and histomorphometric evaluations. The SDFT of the left limb was transected for intact control. Semi-quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the histomorphometric properties. Additional analysis was performed using H&E, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining. The biomechanical evaluation showed that the treatment groups had higher tensile strength compared to the defect control group, while the PRP group had higher tensile strength than the DP group. On histological examination, the treatment groups appeared to be relatively closer to the remodeling phase of the healing process than the defect control group; the characteristics of the PRP group were closer to the remodeling phase than those of the DP group. The ultrasonographic examination showed different tendencies. Increased values in the CSA were observed during the early period in the treatment groups. This study suggests that PRP and DP can promote the healing of tendon injury, and these effects were superior with PRP than that with DP.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.503-517
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 dimensional contoured pillow through analyzing contact pressure and to suggest its design guidelines through analyzing the posture of head and neck area. Background: The quality of sleep is a very important factor closely related with human's health. To improve the quality of sleep, the verification of design factors affecting the posture of the head and neck is needed, and a pillow design that can induce proper posture is required. Method: This study measured the contact pressures of the two reference groups (bead and cotton pillows) as a method to evaluate the design effectiveness of the contoured pillow. This study proposed 3-dimensional design guidelines by drawing anthropometry (head length) affecting cervical curvature angle (CCA) through the measurement of the participants' cervical curvature angles. Results: In the design effectiveness evaluation, the contact pressure of cervical region was higher than that of a reference group (cotton pillow), and contract area increased, and contract pressure decreased in the shape distributing the occipital region's body pressure. This study proposed pillow's cervical supporting height by percentile of a head length [head length (%tile) (cervical supporting height) affecting the posture of the head and neck: 14.6cm (5%tile) (6.2cm), 15.5cm (25%tile) (6.7cm), 16.4cm (50%tile) (7.1cm), and 19.3cm (75%tile) (8.9cm)]. Conclusion: This study confirmed the contoured pillow's design effectiveness maintaining cervical angle comfortable to sleep with the shape supporting the cervical vertebrae and by reducing the contact load of the occipital region. Also, this study proposed pillow design guidelines based on the 3-dimensional contoured pillow design effectiveness, through which the study laid the foundation for pillow design in a systematic method. Application: The results of this study are expected to be utilized as the basis data by which the optimum pillow type and pillow design according to main percentile can be standardized.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.41-56
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• 2008

The methods of surface modification of commercial implants were various according to the manufacturer. Surface modification of implant may produce diverse physical and chemical surface characteristics resulted from the treatment method and treatment condition. As a result, the bone response might be different. Even though surface modified implants have been used clinically, most researches are focusing on the bone response of surface modified implants comparing to machined implants rather than surface modified commercial implants. This study compare and analyze bone responses of 4 surface modified commercial implants with different shapes and surfaces. Eighty surface modified commercial implants with 4 different surface characteristics were installed in the tibia of white Newzealand rabbits. Biomechanical stability tests and histomorphometric evaluation were done. The results were as follows: 1. Surface modified commercial implants showed stable osseointegration at 6 weeks after installation. 2. Histomorphometric evaluation showed that there was no significant differences in bone to implant contact among 4 different commercial titanium implants. In comparing the implants with different shape the measurement of bone growth in subcortical area would be more reliable than entire bone to implant contact length. 3. Resonance Frequency Analysis showed that there was no significant differences among 4 types of implants, even though they were significantly different in installation. 4. There was significant differences in interfacial shear strength among 4 type of implants. 5. It is difficult to observe accurate bone to implant interface using Micro-CT. However, it is possible to measure the entire contact length of the implant to the bone.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 2008

Low back disorders (LBDs) have been the most common musculoskeletal problem in Korean workplaces. It affects many workers, and is associated with high costs to many companies as well as the individual, which can negatively influence even the quality of life of workers. The _evaluation of low back disorder risk associated with manual materials handling tasks can be performed using variety of ergonomic assessment tools such as National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Revised Lifting Equation (NLE), the Washington Administrative Code 296-62-0517 (WAC), the Snook Tables etc. But most of these tools provide limited information for choosing the most appropriate assessment method for a particular job and in finding out advantage and disadvantage of the methods, and few have been assessed for their predictive ability. The focus of this study was to _evaluate spinal loads in real time with lifting and pulling heavy cow leathers in variety of postures. Data for estimating mean trunk motions were collected as employees did their work at the job site, using the Lumbar Motion Monitor. Eight employees (2 males, 6 females) were selected in this study, in which the load weight and the vertical start and destination heights of the activity remained constant throughout the task. Variance components (three dimensional spaces) of mean trunk kinematic measures were estimated in a hierarchical design. They were used to compute velocity and acceleration of multiple employees performing the same task and to repetitive movements within a task. Therefore, a results of this study could be used as a quantitative, objective measure to design the workplace so that the risk of occupationally related low back disorder should be minimized.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Objective: To achieve optimal fit of implant, it is necessary to bend the implant during spine surgery. Bending procedure may decrease stiffness of plate especially made of titanium and stainless steel. Typically titanium suffers adverse effects including early crack propagation when it is bent. We investigate whether 6 degree bending of titanium plates would decrease the stiffness after full cyclic loading by comparing with non-bending titanium plates group. Methods: Authors experimented 40 titanium alloy plates of 57mm in length, manufactured by 5 different companies. Total 40 plates were divided into two groups (20 bent plates for experimental group and 20 non-bent plates for control group). Twenty plates of experimental group were bent to 6 degree with 3-point bending technique and verified with image analyzer. Using the electron microscope, we sought for a initial crack before and after 3-point bending. Mechanical testing by means of 6000 cyclic axial-compression loading of 35N in compression with moment arm of 35mm-1.1 Nm was conducted on each plate and followed by the electron microscopic examination to detect crack or fissure on plates. Results: The stiffness was decreased after 6000 cyclic loading, but there was no statistically significant difference in stiffness between experimental and control group. There was no evidence of change in grain structure on the electron microscopic magnification. Conclusion: The titanium cervical plates can be bent to 6 degree without any crack or weakness of plate. We also assume that minimal bending may increase the resistance to fatigue fracture in cervical flexion-extension movement.