Date of Award
Summer 2006
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Silver-Thorn, Barbara
Second Advisor
Jeutter, Dean C.
Third Advisor
Ropella, Kristina M.
Abstract
In this study, a rate controlled indentor with Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to load tissue, measuring both the reaction force and local tissue perfusion at two sites on the posterior calf. These tests were conducted on eight subjects with varying vascular health to identify potential new dynamic measures of vascular health and/or risk of vascular impairment. As a new device with new parameters, the repeatability of the data was evaluated over a four week period. These measures were contrasted with the current clinical gold standard,s, the ankle brachial index (ABI), repeatability and resolution. The specific aim of this project was to improve our knowledge of the mechanical and physiological responses of soft tissue to controlled loading so as to understand the risks of dermatological damage resulting from impaired vascular health. The two specific research questions addressed in this study were: 1) Do the tissue mechanical and physiological response during cyclic, creep, and relaxation loading show inter-trial repeatability (<10% variability) for a given subject over four weeks of testing? 2) Do tissue perfusion measures vary with vascular health status, as assessed using ABI measures?...
Recommended Citation
Hoffmann, Michael, "Tissue Response of the Lower Extremities During Controlled Loading" (2006). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 4845.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/4845