Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 37 in total

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  1. Afiqah Hamzah N, Razak NAA, Sayuti Ab Karim M, Gholizadeh H
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2021 Dec;235(12):1359-1374.
    PMID: 34304625 DOI: 10.1177/09544119211035200
    The development of the CAD/CAM (Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) system has globally changed the fabrication and delivery of prosthetics and orthotics. Furthermore, since the introduction of CAD/CAM in the 1980s, many successful CAD/CAM system are available in the market today. However, less than 20% of amputees have access to digital fabrication technology and large portion of the amputees are from the developing countries. This review designed to examine selected studies from 1980 to 2019 on CAD/CAM systems in the production of transtibial prosthetic sockets. A review was conducted based on articles gathered from Web of Science, Pubmed and Science Direct. From the findings, 92 articles found related to CAD/CAM-derived transtibial prosthetic socket (TPS). After a further screening of the articles, 20 studies were chosen and only one study was done in a developing country. The results showed an increase interest in CAD/CAM application in Transtibial prosthetic socket (TPS) production for both developed and developing countries, yet the technology has not fully utilised in the developing countries. Factors such as resources, accessibility, knowledge-gap and lack of experienced prosthetists remain the major causes of the lack of CAD/CAM system studies. Large-scale trials are required to employ digital fabrication in the developing regions, consequently advancing the production of high-quality CAD-CAM-derived TPS where most prosthetic and orthotics are needed.
  2. Ahamed NU, Sundaraj K, Poo TS
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2013 Mar;227(3):262-74.
    PMID: 23662342
    This article describes the design of a robust, inexpensive, easy-to-use, small, and portable online electromyography acquisition system for monitoring electromyography signals during rehabilitation. This single-channel (one-muscle) system was connected via the universal serial bus port to a programmable Windows operating system handheld tablet personal computer for storage and analysis of the data by the end user. The raw electromyography signals were amplified in order to convert them to an observable scale. The inherent noise of 50 Hz (Malaysia) from power lines electromagnetic interference was then eliminated using a single-hybrid IC notch filter. These signals were sampled by a signal processing module and converted into 24-bit digital data. An algorithm was developed and programmed to transmit the digital data to the computer, where it was reassembled and displayed in the computer using software. Finally, the following device was furnished with the graphical user interface to display the online muscle strength streaming signal in a handheld tablet personal computer. This battery-operated system was tested on the biceps brachii muscles of 20 healthy subjects, and the results were compared to those obtained with a commercial single-channel (one-muscle) electromyography acquisition system. The results obtained using the developed device when compared to those obtained from a commercially available physiological signal monitoring system for activities involving muscle contractions were found to be comparable (the comparison of various statistical parameters) between male and female subjects. In addition, the key advantage of this developed system over the conventional desktop personal computer-based acquisition systems is its portability due to the use of a tablet personal computer in which the results are accessible graphically as well as stored in text (comma-separated value) form.
  3. Ahmad A, Abu Osman NA, Mokhtar H, Mehmood W, Kadri NA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2019 Sep;233(9):901-908.
    PMID: 31244368 DOI: 10.1177/0954411919856144
    The Chêneau brace has proven its effectiveness in treating the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. However, no studies reported on the analysis of interface pressure in double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. In this study, we evaluated the interface pressure of the Chêneau brace action in double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient treatment. A total of 72 (60 girls and 12 boys) patients aged 10 years and above participated in the study. The F-Socket transducers (9811E) were used to evaluate the pressure on the right thoracic and left thoracolumbar curves between normal and maximum strap tension and variation in these interface pressures with other tasks. Each patient was asked to do nine different tasks corresponding to daily activities, and the interface pressures for each activity were recorded for both normal and maximum tension. The resultant mean peak pressure in double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was higher for right thoracic curves than left thoracolumbar curves in all tasks. The pressure significantly increased at the task of maximal inspiration (p 
  4. Al-Atabi M, Espino DM, Hukins DW, Buchan KG
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2012 Apr;226(4):275-87.
    PMID: 22611868
    Repair of the mitral valve is defined (loosely) as a procedure that alters the valve structure, without replacement, enabling the natural valve itself to continue to perform under the physical conditions to which it is exposed. As the mitral valve is driven by flow and pressure, it should be feasible to analyse and assess its function, failure and repair as a mechanical system. This article reviews the current state of mechanical evaluation of surgical repairs of the failed mitral valve of the heart. This review describes the anatomy and physiology of the mitral valve, followed by the failure of the mitral valve from a mechanical point of view. The surgical methods used to repair failed valves are introduced, while the use of engineering analysis to aid understanding of mitral valve repair is also reviewed. Finally, a section on recommendations for development and future uses of engineering techniques to surgical repair are presented.
  5. Ali Akhbar MF, Yusoff AR
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2019 Feb;233(2):207-218.
    PMID: 30572787 DOI: 10.1177/0954411918819113
    Bone-drilling operation necessitates an accurate and efficient surgical drill bit to minimize thermal damage to the bone. This article provides a methodology for predicting the bone temperature elevation during surgical bone drilling and to gain a better understanding on the influences of the point angle, helix angle and web thickness of the drill bit. The proposed approach utilized the normalized Cockroft-Latham damage criterion to predict material cracking in the drilling process. Drilling simulation software DEFORM-3D is used to approximate the bone temperature elevation corresponding to different drill bit geometries. To validate the simulation results, bone temperature elevations were evaluated by comparison with ex vivo bone-drilling process using bovine femurs. The computational results fit well with the ex vivo experiments with respect to different drill geometries. All the investigated drill bit geometries significantly affect bone temperature rise. It is discovered that the thermal osteonecrosis risk regions could be reduced with a point angle of 110° to 140°, a helix angle of 5° to 30° and a web thickness of 5% to 40%. The drilling simulation could accurately estimate the maximum bone temperature elevation for various surgical drill bit point angles, web thickness and helix angles. Looking into the future, this work will lead to the research and redesign of the optimum surgical drill bit to minimize thermal insult during bone-drilling surgeries.
  6. An X, Chong PL, Zohourkari I, Roy S, Merdji A, Linda Gnanasagaran C, et al.
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2023 Aug;237(8):1008-1016.
    PMID: 37477395 DOI: 10.1177/09544119231187685
    The mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds are essential in providing stability for tissue repair and growth. Thus, the ability of scaffolds to withstand specific loads is crucial for scaffold design. Most research on scaffold pores focuses on grids with pore size and gradient structure, and many research models are based on scaffolding with vertically arranged holes. However, little attention is paid to the influence of the distribution of holes on the mechanical properties of the scaffold. To address this gap, this research investigates the effect of pore distribution on the mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds. The study involves four types of scaffold designs with regular and staggered pore arrangements and porosity ranging from 30% to 80%. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to compare the mechanical properties of different scaffold designs, with von-Mises stress distribution maps generated for each scaffold. The results show that scaffolds with regular vertical holes exhibit a more uniform stress distribution and better mechanical performance than those with irregular holes. In contrast, the scaffold with a staggered arrangement of holes had a higher probability of stress concentration. The study emphasized the importance of balancing porosity and strength in scaffold design.
  7. Arifin N, Abu Osman NA, Ali S, Gholizadeh H, Wan Abas WA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2015 Jul;229(7):491-8.
    PMID: 26019139 DOI: 10.1177/0954411915587595
    In recent years, computerized posturography has become an essential tool in quantitative assessment of postural steadiness in the clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to explore the ability of the Biodex(®) Stability System (BSS) to quantify postural steadiness in below-knee amputees. A convenience sample of 10 below-knee amputees participated in the study. The overall (OSI), anterior-posterior (APSI) and medial-lateral (MLSI) stability indexes as well as the percentage of time spent in left and right quadrants and four concentric zones were measured under altered sensory conditions while standing with solid ankle cushion heel (SACH), single-axis (SA) and energy storage and release (ESAR) feet. Significant difference was found between sensory conditions in SACH and ESAR feet for OSI (SACH, p = 0.002; ESAR, p = 0.005), APSI (SACH, p = 0.036; ESAR, p = 0.003) and MLSI (SACH, p = 0.008; ESAR, p = 0.05) stability indexes. The percentage of time spent in Zone A (0°-5°) was significantly greater than the other three concentric zones (p < 0.01). The loading time percentage on their intact limb (80%-94%) was significantly longer than the amputated limb (20%-6%) in all conditions for all three prosthetic feet. Below-knee amputees showed compromised postural steadiness when visual, proprioceptive or vestibular sensory input was altered. The findings highlight that the characteristics of postural stability in amputees can be clinically assessed by utilizing the outcomes produced by the BSS.
  8. As'arry A, Md Zain MZ, Mailah M, Hussein M
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2013 Nov;227(11):1171-80.
    PMID: 23901066 DOI: 10.1177/0954411913494325
    Patients with hand tremors may find routine activities such as writing and holding objects affected. In response to this problem, an active control technique has been examined in order to lessen the severity of tremors. In this article, an online method of a hybrid proportional-integral control with active force control strategy for tremor attenuation is presented. An intelligent mechanism using iterative learning control is incorporated into the active force control loop to approximate the estimation mass parameter. Experiments were conducted on a dummy hand model placed horizontally in a tremor test rig. When activated by a shaker in the vertical direction, this resembles a postural tremor condition. In the proportional-integral plus active force control, a linear voice coil actuator is used as the main active tremor suppressive element. A sensitivity analysis is presented to investigate the robustness of the proposed controller in a real-time control environment. The findings of this study demonstrate that the intelligent active force control and iterative learning controller show excellent performance in reducing tremor error compared to classic pure proportional, proportional-integral and hybrid proportional-integral plus active force control controllers.
  9. Azlisham NAF, Johari Y, Mohamad D, Yhaya MF, Mahmood Z
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2023 Dec;237(12):1339-1347.
    PMID: 38014749 DOI: 10.1177/09544119231208222
    This study evaluated the use of urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) as a base monomer to prepare the newly developed flowable composite (FC) using nanohybrid silica derived from rice husk in comparison to bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) on the degree of conversion and physicomechanical properties. The different loadings of base monomer to diluent monomer were used at the ratio of 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40. The bonding analysis confirmed the presence of nanohybrid silica in the newly developed FC. Independent t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in the degree of conversion, depth of cure and Vickers hardness of the UDMA-based FC, while surface roughness showed comparable results between the two base monomers. In conclusion, UDMA-based FC demonstrated superior performance with 60%-65% conversions, a significantly higher depth of cure exceeding 1 mm which complies with the Internal Standard of Organization 4049 (ISO 4049), and a substantial increase in Vickers hardness numbers compared to Bis-GMA-based FC, making UDMA a suitable alternative to Bis-GMA as a base monomer in the formulation of this newly developed FC derived from rice husk.
  10. Bajuri MN, Kadir MR, Amin IM, Ochsner A
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2012 Jul;226(7):510-20.
    PMID: 22913098 DOI: 10.1177/0954411912445846
    The wrist is the most complex joint for virtual three-dimensional simulations, and the complexity is even more pronounced when dealing with skeletal disorders of the joint such, as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In order to analyse the biomechanical difference between healthy and diseased joints, three-dimensional models of these two wrist conditions were developed from computed tomography images. These images consist of eight carpal bones, five metacarpal bones, the distal radius and ulna. The cartilages were developed based on the shape of the available articulations and ligaments were simulated via mechanical links. The RA model was developed accurately by simulating all ten common criteria of the disease related to the wrist. Results from the finite element (FE) analyses showed that the RA model produced three times higher contact pressure at the articulations compared to the healthy model. Normal physiological load transfer also changed from predominantly through the radial side to an increased load transfer approximately 5% towards the ulnar. Based on an extensive literature search, this is the first ever reported work that simulates the pathological conditions of the rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist joint.
  11. Dambatta MS, Murni NS, Izman S, Kurniawan D, Froemming GR, Hermawan H
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2015 May;229(5):335-42.
    PMID: 25991712 DOI: 10.1177/0954411915584962
    This article reports the in vitro degradation and cytotoxicity assessment of Zn-3Mg alloy developed for biodegradable bone implants. The alloy was prepared using casting, and its microstructure was composed of Mg2Zn11 intermetallic phase distributed within a Zn-rich matrix. The degradation assessment was done using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectrometry. The cell viability and the function of normal human osteoblast cells were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium and alkaline phosphatase extracellular enzyme activity assays. The results showed that the degradation rate of the alloy was slower than those of pure Zn and pure Mg due to the formation of a high polarization resistance oxide film. The alloy was cytocompatible with the normal human osteoblast cells at low concentrations (<0.5 mg/mL), and its alkaline phosphatase activity was superior to pure Mg. This assessment suggests that Zn-3Mg alloy has the potential to be developed as a material for biodegradable bone implants, but the toxicity limit must be carefully observed.
  12. Ganesan K, Acharya RU, Chua CK, Laude A
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2014 Sep;228(9):962-70.
    PMID: 25234036 DOI: 10.1177/0954411914550847
    Identification of retinal landmarks is an important step in the extraction of anomalies in retinal fundus images. In the current study, we propose a technique to identify and localize the position of macula and hence the fovea avascular zone, in colour fundus images. The proposed method, based on varying blur scales in images, is independent of the location of other anatomical landmarks present in the fundus images. Experimental results have been provided using the open database MESSIDOR by validating our segmented regions using the dice coefficient, with ground truth segmentation provided by a human expert. Apart from testing the images on the entire MESSIDOR database, the proposed technique was also validated using 50 normal and 50 diabetic retinopathy chosen digital fundus images from the same database. A maximum overlap accuracy of 89.6%-93.8% and locational accuracy of 94.7%-98.9% was obtained for identification and localization of the fovea.
  13. Genisa M, Shuib S, Rajion ZA, Arief EM, Hermana M
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2018 Oct 11.
    PMID: 30309283 DOI: 10.1177/0954411918806333
    The aim of this study is to investigate the estimation of density from the Hounsfield unit of cone beam computed tomography data in dental imaging, especially for dental implant application. A jaw phantom with various known densities of anatomical parts (e.g. soft tissue, cortical bone, trabecular bone, tooth enamel, tooth dentin, sinus cavity, spinal cord and spinal disc) has been used to test the accuracy of the Hounsfield unit of cone beam computed tomography in estimating the mechanical density (true density). The Hounsfield unit of cone beam computed tomography data was evaluated via the MIMICS software using both two-dimensional and three-dimensional methods, and the results showed correlation with the true density of the object. In addition, the results revealed that the Hounsfield unit of cone beam computed tomography and bone density had a logarithmic relation, rather than a linear one. To this end, the correlation coefficient of logarithmic correlation (R2 = 0.95) is higher than the linear one (R2 = 0.77).
  14. Hashim NA, Abd Razak NA, Abu Osman NA, Gholizadeh H
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2018 Jan;232(1):3-11.
    PMID: 29199518 DOI: 10.1177/0954411917744585
    Body-powered prostheses are known for their advantages of cost, reliability, training period, maintenance, and proprioceptive feedback. This study primarily aims to analyze the work related to the improvement of upper limb body-powered prostheses prior to 2016. A systematic review conducted via the search of the Web of Science electronic database, Google Scholar, and Google Patents identified 155 papers from 1921 to 2016. Sackett's initial rules of evidence were used to determine the levels of evidence, and only papers categorized in the design and development category and patents were analyzed. A total of 40 papers in the sixth level of "Design and Development" of an upper limb body-powered prosthesis were found. Approximately 81% were categorized under mechanical alteration. Most papers were patent-type documents (48%), with the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development publishing most of the articles related to the design and development of body-powered prostheses. Papers in the scope of the study were published once every 3 years in almost a century, proving that only a few studies were conducted to improve body-powered arms compared with myoelectric technology. Further research should be carried out mainly in areas that have received less attention.
  15. Ibitoye AB, Hamouda AM, Wong SV, Umar RS
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2009 Nov;223(8):1033-40.
    PMID: 20092099
    This study uses computer simulations to study the impact of a motorcycle with the conventional w-beam guardrail. A three-dimensional computer simulation of a scaled hybrid III 50th-percentile male dummy mounted on a motorcycle and colliding with a w-beam guardrail is carried out. A multi-body model of the motorcycle and finite element model of the guardrail are developed using commercially available software. The simulation model is validated with a physical crash test conducted with same initial impact configurations. Impacts at speeds of 32, 48, and 60 km/h at an impact angle at 45 degrees are considered. The predicted forces and accelerations are compared with the biomechanical limits for each body part and the risk of injury to the rider are evaluated. Speed was found to have a significant influence on the level of injury to the head, neck, chest, and femur. A significant reduction of the severity of injuries was found when the impact speed was reduced from 60 to 32km/h. The accelerations experienced by the head and chest are found to be higher than safe levels for impact speeds of 48 and 60 km/h. The biomechanical limit for the right femur is exceeded at all three considered impact speeds. Neck injuries are also a concern, with the predicted tension values and neck bending extent being higher than the biomechanical limit for the 60 km/h impact speed. In light of these results, it is suggested that the design of guardrails should be reviewed with a focus on the safety of motorcyclists.
  16. Khalaj N, Abu Osman NA, Mokhtar AH, Mehdikhani M, Wan Abas WA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2014 Feb;228(2):190-9.
    PMID: 24458100 DOI: 10.1177/0954411914521155
    The knee adduction moment represents the medial knee joint load, and greater value is associated with higher load. In people with knee osteoarthritis, it is important to apply proper treatment with the least side effects to reduce knee adduction moment and, consequently, reduce medial knee joint load. This reduction may slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis. The research team performed a literature search of electronic databases. The search keywords were as follows: knee osteoarthritis, knee adduction moment, exercise program, exercise therapy, gait retraining, gait modification and knee joint loading. In total, 12 studies were selected, according to the selection criteria. Findings from previous studies illustrated that exercise and gait retraining programs could alter knee adduction moment in people with knee osteoarthritis. These treatments are noninvasive and nonpharmacological which so far have no or few side effects, as well as being low cost. The results of this review revealed that gait retraining programs were helpful in reducing the knee adduction moment. In contrast, not all the exercise programs were beneficial in reducing knee adduction moment. Future studies are needed to indicate best clinical exercise and gait retraining programs, which are most effective in reducing knee adduction moment in people with knee osteoarthritis.
    Study design: systematic review
  17. Khalid YM, Gouwanda D, Parasuraman S
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2015 Jun;229(6):452-63.
    PMID: 25979442 DOI: 10.1177/0954411915585597
    Ankle rehabilitation robots are developed to enhance ankle strength, flexibility and proprioception after injury and to promote motor learning and ankle plasticity in patients with drop foot. This article reviews the design elements that have been incorporated into the existing robots, for example, backdrivability, safety measures and type of actuation. It also discusses numerous challenges faced by engineers in designing this robot, including robot stability and its dynamic characteristics, universal evaluation criteria to assess end-user comfort, safety and training performance and the scientific basis on the optimal rehabilitation strategies to improve ankle condition. This article can serve as a reference to design robot with better stability and dynamic characteristics and good safety measures against internal and external events. It can also serve as a guideline for the engineers to report their designs and findings.
  18. Khan SJ, Khan SS, Usman J, Mokhtar AH, Abu Osman NA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2020 Jul;234(7):749-757.
    PMID: 32459132 DOI: 10.1177/0954411920924525
    The conservative techniques of treating knee osteoarthritis (kOA) include wearing orthoses such as knee braces and laterally wedged insoles and applying gait modification techniques such as toe-in gait and toe-out gait. This study aimed at assessing the immediate effects of these techniques in improving physical function of healthy and kOA participants. Five Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) recommended performance-based tests were randomly applied to measure physical function: (1) 30-second chair stand test (30CST), (2) 40-m (4 × 10) fast-paced walk test (40FPW), (3) stair climb test (SCT), (4) timed up and go test (TUGT) and (5) 6-minute walk test (6MWT) during a single-visit on 20 healthy and 20 kOA patients (age: 59.5 ± 7.33 and 61.5 ± 8.63 years, BMI: 69.95 ± 9.86 and 70.45 ± 8.80 kg/m2). The interventions included natural gait, toe-out gait, toe-in gait, laterally wedged insoles and knee brace. Analysis was performed through repeated-measures ANOVA and independent sample t-test. 30CST and TUGT showed no significant differences for the five test conditions (p > 0.05). Toe-out showed profound effects via pairwise comparison in impairing the physical function while knee brace improved it during 40FPW, SCT and 6MWT. In general, all the tested conservative techniques except laterally wedged insoles had immediate effects on physical performance measures in both healthy and medial knee osteoarthritis participants. The valgus knee brace improved the parameters the most, while toe-out gait impaired them the most. Future studies can develop strategies for improving gait retraining methods on the basis of issues identified by this study.
  19. Khan SJ, Khan SS, Usman J, Mokhtar AH, Abu Osman NA
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2018 Feb;232(2):163-171.
    PMID: 29283019 DOI: 10.1177/0954411917750409
    This study aims to investigate the effects of varying toe angles at different platform settings on Overall Stability Index of postural stability and fall risk using Biodex Balance System in healthy participants and medial knee osteoarthritis patients. Biodex Balance System was employed to measure postural stability and fall risk at different foot progression angles (ranging from -20° to 40°, with 10° increments) on 20 healthy (control group) and 20 knee osteoarthritis patients (osteoarthritis group) randomly (age: 59.50 ± 7.33 years and 61.50 ± 8.63 years; body mass: 69.95 ± 9.86 kg and 70.45 ± 8.80 kg). Platform settings used were (1) static, (2) postural stability dynamic level 8 (PS8), (3) fall risk levels 12 to 8 (FR12) and (4) fall risk levels 8 to 2 (FR8). Data from the tests were analysed using three-way mixed repeated measures analysis of variance. The participant group, platform settings and toe angles all had a significant main effect on balance ( p ≤ 0.02). Platform settings had a significant interaction effect with participant group F(3, 144) = 6.97, p 
  20. Mehdikhani M, Khalaj N, Chung TY, Mazlan M
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2014 Aug;228(8):819-23.
    PMID: 25205748 DOI: 10.1177/0954411914547714
    Feet displacement is recognized to be an important element in standing and is also linked to postural instability in elderly people with diabetes. This study investigates standing balance in diabetic patients in four asymmetric feet displacements. Quiet standing balance was investigated using the Biodex Balance System in 18 diabetic patients and compared with 18 control elderly subjects. The four standing conditions, namely, comfortable feet position, preferred feet position with a stance width of 17 cm and 15° angle between the medial borders, feet side by side, and heel side by side with a 30° angle between medial edges of feet were evaluated (i.e. eyes opened, eyes closed). The overall stability was calculated by measuring anterior-posterior and medial-lateral indices in standing conditions. Differences among feet positions were compared using an analysis of variance and the independent t-test. The diabetic patients were unstable in the medial-lateral direction when standing with feet side by side versus heel side by side with a 30° angle between medial edges of feet (p = 0.012 and 0.011, respectively), while in controls the anterior-posterior stability scores between standing in preferred foot position with stance width of 17 cm and 15° angle between the medial borders versus feet side by side, and heel side by side with a 30° angle between medial edges of feet versus preferred foot position with stance width of 17 cm and 15° angle between the medial borders had significant difference (p 
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