A pressure distribution measurement system for supporting areas of wheelchair users

Arias, Sandra L.; Cardiel, E.; Garay, L.; Tovar, Blanca; Pla, Michele; Rogeli, Pablo

doi:10.1109/embc.2013.6610609

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Tavares et al, 29 show a study on a voluntary subject on a wheelchair that uses fibre bragg grating sensors for preventing pressure ulcers generation. Arias et al, 30 show a 12 air-cells division cushion. Each cell has a pressure sensor and an input for electro valves to inflate and deflate.…”

Section: Seat Cushion: Modelling and Designmentioning

confidence: 98%

Modelling, design and control of a new seat-cushion for pressure ulcers prevention

Mannella

Bellusci

Graziani

et al. 2022

Proc Inst Mech Eng H

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pressure ulcers are a frequent complication in patients having limited activity and mobility (e.g., elderly people, spinal cord injury patients, people with disabilities, etc.). The aim of this work is the conceptual design, modelling and control of a new seat cushion for pressure ulcers prevention. The whole system (constituted by the seat cushion equipped with a real-time pressure mapping with closed-loop control) is designed to identify the critical points on the human skin, before pressure ulcers creation, and to be able to distribute the contact pressure between the human and cushion avoiding wound creation. The seat cushion is constituted by soft air-cells actuated by air flow. To define the shape and size of the soft air-cells, finite element simulations are carried out, analysing the internal volume reduction with external loads application to reproduce the variable stiffness. The data obtained by finite element analysis are used to simulate inflation and deflation of the soft bubble air-cells. Finally, the control systems of a single air-cell and of the whole cushion are designed and simulated. The novelty of our work consists in the conception of a seat cushion able to recognise higher and lower risk zones of pressure ulcer generation on the human skin and to provide compensation automatically. This work can therefore be considered in line with the sustainable development goals recently launched by the EU Commission.

show abstract

Section: Seat Cushion: Modelling and Designmentioning

confidence: 98%

Modelling, design and control of a new seat-cushion for pressure ulcers prevention

Mannella

Bellusci

Graziani

et al. 2022

Proc Inst Mech Eng H

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The actions of inflation and deflation of the cells are controlled by 12 electrovalves (FESTO Ò , Germany), 6 for inflating and 6 for deflating. Recordings of the pressure sensor (FREESCALE, USA), control of the electrovalves, and alternating sequence programs were carried out through a graphical interface designed in LabVIEW Ò platform [18]. Finally, the system is completed with a 12 lpm air pump and a data acquisition board (National InstrumentsÒ, USA).…”

Section: Description Of the Prototype Cushion And The Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects on interface pressure and tissue oxygenation under ischial tuberosities during the application of an alternating cushion

Arias

Cardiel

Garay

et al. 2015

Journal of Tissue Viability

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The tremendous illustration of air insoles might be that the higher inner pressure would induce higher PPP owing to stiffer plantar soft tissues ( Kim et al, 2018 ; Lung et al, 2020a ). Previous studies have discussed inflatable devices with suitable air pressure for redistributing pressure ( Arias et al, 2013 ; Yang et al, 2015 ). Considerable progress has been made in developing air insoles related to their hardness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plantar pressure gradient and pressure gradient angle are affected by inner pressure of air insole

Haris,

Jan,

Liau

et al. 2024

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Clinically, air insoles may be applied to shoes to decrease plantar pressure gradient (PPG) and increase plantar gradient angle (PGA) to reduce foot ulcers. PPG and PGA may cause skin breakdown. The effects of different inner pressures of inflatable air insoles on dynamic PPG and PGA distributions are largely unknown in non-diabetics and people with diabetes. This study aimed to explore the impact of varying inner air insole pressures on PPG and PGA to establish early mitigation strategies for people at risk of foot ulcers. A repeated measures study design, including three air insoles (80 mmHg, 160 mmHg, and 240 mmHg) and two walking durations (10 and 20 min) for a total of six walking protocols, was tested on 13 healthy participants (height, 165.8 ± 8.4 cm; age, 27.0 ± 7.3 years; and weight, 56.0 ± 7.9 kg, BMI: 20.3 ± 1.7 kg/m^2) over three consecutive weeks. PPG, a measurement of the spatial variation in plantar pressure around the peak plantar pressure (PPP) and PGA, a variation in the gradient direction values at the three plantar regions, big toe (T1), first metatarsal head (M1), and second metatarsal head (M2), were calculated. This study indicated that PPG was lower at 80 mmHg air insoles after 20 min of walking in the M1 region (p = 0.010). The PGA in the M2 increased at an air insole of 80 mmHg compared to 240 mmHg (p = 0.015). Compared to 20 min, the 10 min walking duration at 240 mmHg of air insole had the lowest PPG in the M1 (p = 0.015) and M2 (p = 0.034) regions. The 80 mmHg air insole significantly lowered the PPG compared to a 160 mmHg and 240 mmHg air insole. Moreover, the 80 mmHg air insole significantly decreased PPP and increased PGA compared to the 160 mmHg and 240 mmHg air insole. A shorter walking period (10 min) significantly lowered PPG. The findings of this study suggest that people with a higher risk of foot ulcers should wear softer air insoles to have a lower PPG, as well as an increased PGA.

show abstract

A pressure distribution measurement system for supporting areas of wheelchair users

Cited by 10 publications

References 7 publications

Modelling, design and control of a new seat-cushion for pressure ulcers prevention

Modelling, design and control of a new seat-cushion for pressure ulcers prevention

Effects on interface pressure and tissue oxygenation under ischial tuberosities during the application of an alternating cushion

Plantar pressure gradient and pressure gradient angle are affected by inner pressure of air insole

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About