Functional modifications to power and manual chairs are currently advancing in the areas of rehabilitation, sports and recreation and in the activities of daily living; however, these modification have yet to be directly applied in the field of performing arts. An assistive device was developed at the University of South Florida (USF) during collaboration between the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Theatre and Dance. The project was initiated by Professor Merry Lynn Morris who identified a need for new conceptions of mobility; her work with dancers, with and without disabilities established the research framework in which choreographic vision could be supported with technological applications. Therefore, a device was designed to alleviate the constraints of current wheelchair designs which inhibit the user’s upper-body artistic movement range and capacity for interaction. The main purpose of the design was to create hands-free motion through the modification of a power wheelchair, which make it useful in the performing arts, but also as an assistive device for persons with disabilities. This device is in its first research phase of development as a prototype and is patent pending.

Many preservation methods have utilized sugars such as trehalose as protectants against injury during cell preservation processing, especially during drying (1–5). As mammalian cells do not synthesize trehalose, research in the mammalian cell desiccation field has focused on the development of strategies to enable trehalose delivery into the intracellular milieu. Numerous techniques have been explored ranging from microinjection (2) to the creation or utilization of membrane pores (1,3). Fluid phase endocytosis has shown great promise as an effective strategy for non-invasively delivering water-soluble materials into the intracellular space (4, 5). In this technique trehalose is transported across the cell membrane in membrane-bound cellular compartments called endosomes. Cells incubated in cell culture medium containing trehalose have been shown to take up considerable amounts of trehalose by this technique (4, 5). How much of this trehalose actually become available for protection of biomolecules during the dehydration process has yet to be determined.

Across all fields of human-system interface design it is vital to posses a sound methodology dictating the constraints on the system based on the capabilities of the human user. These limitations may be based on strength, mobility, dexterity, cognitive ability, etc. and combinations thereof. Data collected in an isolated environment to determine, for example, maximal strength or maximal range of motion would indeed be adequate for establishing not-to-exceed type design limitations, however these restraints on the system may be excessive over what is basally needed. Resources may potentially be saved by having a technique to determine the minimum measurements a system must accommodate.

The intervertebral discs provide mobility and a degree of shock absorbance to the spinal column. It has been shown that the mechanical properties of the intervertebral discs play an important role in their functionality [1, 2]. While static models of the intervertebral disc have significance, dynamic models characterize more accurately the in situ nature of the tissues. Some researchers [3] have studied dynamic disc loading from the perspective of biomedical performance and fatigue failure. Other studies have reported on the viscoelastic properties of discs under high frequency vibration [4]. However, the authors did not find any study which used experimental modal analysis (EMA) and the receptance coupling (RC) method to extract the dynamic characteristics, i.e. stiffness, damping, and natural frequencies, of the intervertebral discs.

The glenohumeral joint is the most dislocated major joint in the body with most dislocations occurring anteriorly. [1] The anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (AB-IGHL) is the primary passive restraint to dislocation and experiences the highest strains during these events. [2,3] It has been found that injuries to the capsule following dislocation include permanent deformation, which increases joint mobility and contributes to recurrent instability. [4] Many current surgical repair techniques focus on plicating redundant tissue following injury. However, these techniques are inadequate as 12–25% of patients experience pain and instability afterwards and thus may not fully address all capsular tissue pathologies resulting from dislocation. [5] Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of permanent deformation on the mechanical properties of the AB-IGHL during a tensile elongation. Improved understanding of the capsular tissue pathologies resulting from dislocation may lead to new repair techniques that better restore joint stability and improve patient outcome by placating the capsule in specific locations.

In the last years, encapsulation of functional biomolecules (such as enzymes, proteins and antibodies) in three-dimensional nanoporous silica matrices has received considerable attention for its potential applications in biocatalysis, biosensing, and biopreservation. 1 A handful of studies conducted with bacteria, plant, and mammalian cells have shown that these complex microorganisms can also function when they are encapsulated in silica matrices. 2 When encapsulated in rigid permeable mesopores, mobility and proliferation of the microorganisms are prevented, while nutrients and by-products diffuse freely through the porous matrix. However, it is not known what mechanism(s) enables the biomolecules to be stable, and the microorganisms to be active, while they are mechanically confined in a matrix in a “no-growth” state. It is known that the motions and properties of water change when confined in nanopores. Therefore, we envision that the altered properties of confined water play a role in increasing the stability of biomolecules. This study is focused on understanding the effects of confinement on the kinetic and thermodynamic transitions of water, and identifying its effects on the structure of confined biomolecules. We have utilized Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the different states and phase transitions of nanopore confined water at cryogenic temperatures. We have extended our analysis to quantify the structural changes in nanopore confined isolated and endogenous proteins of intact organisms.

Dry preservation involves removing water from a sample so that molecular mobility is decreased and degradative biochemical processes are slowed. Recently this approach has been explored as an energy-efficient alternative to cryopreservation of mammalian cells. Hurdles to the successful dry preservation of cells include quantification problems associated with non-uniform dehydration processes and the high sensitivity of mammalian cells to osmotic stress.

Many diffusive processes in biological systems refuse to obey the standard laws of diffusion. In normal diffusion, the diffusivity can be considered constant and the concentration of the diffusive particles follows Fick’s law. However, in highly heterogeneous materials such as tissues, the complex microgeometry of the medium imposes serious restrictions to the mobility of the particles. This scenario is known as anomalous diffusion. Experiments in diverse biological systems including diffusion in the extracellular space of the brain [1], morphogen movement in the extracellular environment [2], protein movement inside cells [3], identified anomalous, rather than Fickian, transport.

The main functions of the human musculoskeletal system are to sustain loads and provide mobility. Bones and joints themselves cannot produce movement; skeletal muscles provide the ability to move. Knowledge of muscle forces during given activities can provide insight into muscle mechanics, muscle physiology, musculoskeletal mechanics, neurophysiology, and motor control. However, clinical examinations or instrumented strength testing only provides information regarding muscle groups. Musculoskeletal models are typically needed to calculate individual muscle forces.

Current surgical treatments for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration result in decreased mobility of the spine [1]. A tissue engineering approach may provide an alternative that restores both IVD structure and function. The IVD is comprised of three distinct regions: the outer annulus fibrosus (OA), inner annulus fibrosus (IA), and the nucleus pulposus (NP). Each of the cell populations within these regions possess unique phenotypic properties that are greatly influenced by environmental factors, such as the surrounding 3-D extracellular matrix (ECM) and mechanical loading (i.e., hydrostatic pressurization) [2]. As such, both the 3-D scaffold and in vitro culture conditions may have marked effects on the development of tissue-engineered IVD constructs. Although the influence of mechanical loading on IVD cells and explants has been investigated, no prior studies have examined the impact of hydrostatic pressurization on OA and IA cells in 3-D culture. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of dynamic hydrostatic pressurization on OA and IA cells seeded on 3-D fibrous poly(glycolic acid)-poly(L-lactic acid) (PGA-PLLA) scaffolds. We hypothesized that the application of hydrostatic pressure would promote increased production of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in both OA- and IA-seeded constructs.

Knowledge of patient-specific muscle and joint contact forces during activities of daily living could improve the treatment of movement-related disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis, stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease). Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to measure these quantities directly under common clinical conditions, and calculation of these quantities using computer models is limited by the redundant nature of human neural control (i.e., more muscles than theoretically necessary to actuate the available degrees of freedom in the skeleton). Walking is a particularly important task to understand, since loss of mobility is associated with increased morbidity and decreased quality of life [1]. Though numerous musculoskeletal computer modeling studies have used optimization methods to resolve the neural control redundancy problem, these estimates remain unvalidated due to the lack of internal force measurements that can be used for validation purposes.

There are a variety of commercially available cycling systems for users with physical disabilities. These include arm-driven recumbent bicycle and tricycle frames for individuals with limited leg function and tandem system for visually or mobility-impaired individuals. More complex adaptive cycling systems, such as the BerkelBike, have also been developed, which have integrated arm and leg driving mechanisms as well as on-board motor assistance and, in some cases, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). These units cost upwards of US$8,000 and are beyond the price range of many individuals and community centers. All current assistive cycling systems also require some degree of fine motor control, either in the torso or the arms, to control steering and braking mechanisms. That would make these systems inaccessible for individuals with severe motor control disabilities, such as Parkinsons or advanced MS.

Neuromuscular diseases as a consequence of brain damage are complex phenomena involving disuse, immobility, brain tissue remodeling and cortical function remapping. They may have various causes and strike any part of the population. The vicious circle leading to a worsening of the patients’ conditions proceeds through muscle shortening by contractures, disruption of the normal reflex behavior and sensory problems, development of spasticity [1]. Physical rehabilitation alone or in association with surgery or pharmacological treatments can be useful in limiting those degenerations. Besides manual rehabilitation, splints and braces are prescribed to control the limb posture and obtain stretching of the muscles. The role of those orthoses is to maintain the paretic limb in a set ‘physiological’ position and let it relax into that posture, in an attempt to reduce muscle rigidity and contractures. However applying a fixed constraint to the limb and waiting for relaxation to take place, may cause discomfort, pain, skin rash, and sundry different complications [2]. Also, any residual voluntary movement is prevented by a fixed-angle splinting. In addition, all these negative characteristics limit tolerability and daily application times. This work presents a different way to promote limb repositioning, based on the application of NiTi-alloy-based dynamic splints, which favor mobility and any residual use of the affected limb. Furthermore it suggests that application of mild contact forces prolonged in time has the advantage of feeling less painful and uncomfortable for the patients, improving overall treatment tolerability.

This design effort is the result of the capstone senior design project to create an affordable weighing device for wheelchair users. There are 3.3 million individuals in the Unites States that require a wheelchair for mobility aid. 1 Wheelchair use is associated with a number of health problems that are related to weight gain such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke; however, few wheelchair users can afford currently available home-use wheelchair scales to monitor their weight. 2 Most wheelchair users must go to clinics, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities equipped with expensive wheelchair scales to monitor their weight. Previous studies have shown that consistent self-monitoring of weight is critical in preventing weight gain. 3 There exists a need for a way to measure wheelchair user weight in a home setting in an accurate manner that is user-friendly, portable, and affordable.

A person with tetraplegia has lost the ability to willfully control his/her arms and legs, usually due to a severe spinal cord injury. Existing technologies using head motion or puffs of breath to control device movement promise increased mobility and the possibility of expanding recreational activities in a variety of forms to this population. Lack of access to rehabilitative services and engaging recreational activity fosters inactivity. This often creates an environment that causes individuals with physical disabilities to experience reduced function and mobility beyond the cause of their disability, and further disengages them from society 1 . Adaptive sports are increasing in popularity and provide many benefits to participants.

The molecules of the extracellular matrix in connective tissues are densely packed. Biofabrication methods to attain such molecular packing density are limited and electrochemical processing (EP) of monomeric collagen solutions is one of few means to attain molecular packing. During EP, the pH gradient between electrodes drives the electrophoretic mobility of collagen molecules toward the isoelectric point where molecules are compacted. Our earlier work used linear electrodes to fabricate highly aligned crosslinked collagen fibers for tendon tissue engineering [1–4]. Prior work compared electrocompacted-aligned matrices with uncompacted randomly oriented ones. Therefore, the effects of alignment and compaction were compounded in terms of assessing cell response. So as to take the matrix alignment variable out of the picture to investigate matrix compaction effects only, we employed disc shaped electrodes to obtain electrocompacted sheets which lack matrix alignment. The current study investigated: a) the degree of compaction, b) effect of compaction on the mechanical properties of the sheets, and, c) mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation and morphology on compacted sheets relative to uncompacted collagen gels.

Spine stiffening or also called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of progressive arthritis that leads to a chronic inflammation affecting spinal column and sacroiliac joints (SI). Long-term inflammation of the spinal joints (called Spondylitis) leads to calcium deposits forming on the ligaments and around the intervertebral discs. Subsequent tissue inflammation resulted from deposition of calcium, causes the spine to stiffen and potential mobility loss. This may result in clinical sequelae such as long-term disability and in complete fusion of vertebral column (Ankylosis) in severe cases [1]. Current literature on AS and its effects on segmental biomechanics is not known. Hence, this study designed to investigate the biomechanical effects of spine stiffening through changing the stiffness of soft tissue (ligaments & discs) across lumbar spine using finite element (FE) analysis.

The hemolytic disorders of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) affect the lives of millions of individuals worldwide. In HS and HE, connections in the vertical and horizontal directions between components of the RBC membrane (see Fig. 1(a)), are disrupted due to defective proteins, leading to loss of the structural and functional integrity of the membrane (1–2). Moreover, disruptions of either the vertical interactions or horizontal interactions affect the lateral diffusivity of the mobile band 3 proteins, as the motion of band 3 in the RBC membrane is confined by the cytoskeleton (3). Although a number of coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) RBC membrane models have been developed in the past two decades, very few RBC membrane models have been used to study the disordered band 3 diffusion and membrane vesiculation in HS and HE. The implicit representations of either the lipid bilayer or the cytoskeleton in these membrane models limit their applications in the membrane instability problems in HS and HE. In this extended abstract, we develop a two-component CGMD human RBC membrane model that explicitly comprises both the lipid bilayer and the cytoskeleton. In this way, the interactions between the cytoskeleton and the proteins embedded in the lipid bilayer can be simulated. The proposed model allows us to measure the band 3 lateral mobility and simulate the process of membrane vesiculation in the membrane with protein defects.

A wheelchair-mounted robotic arm was designed and developed to enhance the capabilities of mobility-impaired persons with limited upper extremities limitations exceeding previous models specifications and performance [1]. The major enhancements of the wheelchair’s mechanical design are the incorporation of DC servo drive with encoders at each individual joint. The arm has seven degrees of freedom (DoF) and is side-mounted on a power wheelchair (fig 1). The control system allows coordinated Cartesian control, and offers expandability for research in combined mobility and manipulation. This paper discusses the control scheme and a virtual simulation of the existing WMRA prototype performing several activities of daily living.

The meniscus plays a crucial role in the dynamics of the knee. Damage to the meniscus can influence proprioception, stability, and mobility of the knee [1]. Risk factors of meniscal tears include prolonged or repeated deep knee bending, obesity, and sporting injuries [2]. Acute injury, as seen in alpine sports, involves complex dynamics which can damage singular or multiple tissue structures of the knee [2]. It is not uncommon for meniscal injuries to occur in conjunction with ACL lesions, and the loading imbalance that results in ACL lesions may also initiate meniscal tears [3, 4]. Investigations of meniscal tears following ACL rupture have indicated chronic damage to medial menisci more so than lateral menisci [5]. However, experimental studies of acute damage following ACL transection are not consistent, with some showing more lateral damage acutely and some showing equality between medial and lateral meniscal damage [5].