Soft tissues in the pelvic region - novel characterization of properties and modifiers, and their influence on musculoskeletal loading

骨盆区域的软组织 - 特性和调节剂的新特征及其对肌肉骨骼负荷的影响

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05517
• 负责人: Laing, Andrew
• 金额: $ 2.91万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=757748
• 关键词: Soft; tissues; pelvic; region; novel

During fall-related impacts, the risk of tissue damage is directly related to the magnitude and distribution of impact loads. While the field generally recognizes the important influence of soft tissues on impact dynamics during falls on the lateral pelvis (i.e. `hip' region), there is limited information about the characteristics of these tissues, the factors that modify them, and algorithms that accurately describe their influence on impact dynamics. Accordingly, the proposed research, comprised of four complementary `Themes', will generate novel insights into the basic mechanical properties of the soft tissues in the pelvic region, their underlying modifiers, and how these soft tissues influence loading dynamics. Themes 1 and 2 will use novel ultrasound imaging techniques to investigate how individual factors (e.g. sex, age, body composition) influence the thickness and mechanical properties of pelvic soft tissues. This will be accomplished through a comprehensive application of shear wave elastography, and B-mode imaging synchronized with indentation force-deflection profiling. In Theme 3, human volunteers will be used to examine the influence of these soft tissue properties on lateral pelvis impact dynamics. Specifically, participants will undergo a series of loading scenarios (static lying to low energy falls). Impact kinetics applied to the pelvic skin surface will be measured with force plates and high-speed pressure measurement systems, and we will examine how the soft tissue properties examined in Themes 1 and 2 relate to impact dynamics. All previous outcomes will be integrated in Theme 4 through the use a validated mechanical hip impact simulator. Surrogate soft tissue materials, custom-made to match the range of properties observed in Themes 1-3, will be used to create up to 100 surrogate soft tissue coverings. These soft tissues, incorporated into the hip impact simulator, will undergo simulated sideways falls with a range of impact energies. Load sensing systems will measure impact kinetics, including the loads ultimately transmitted to the underlying femur. In summary, the proposed program of research will produce the world's most robust characterization of soft tissue properties in the pelvic region, in addition to the influence of these tissues on the loads applied to the hip region during lateral impacts. In addition to improving mathematical and mechanical models of lateral impact, this research will catalyze collaborations with industry partners to improve the design of engineering-based load attenuation devices for pressure sores and hip fractures. The trainees involved will experience an equitable, diverse, and inclusive research environment that uses multi-disciplinary approaches including experimental studies with humans, novel imaging technology, mechanical impact simulators, and mathematical modeling. These novel skill-sets will support their emergence as future leaders in academic or industry settings.

在与跌倒相关的冲击过程中，组织损伤的风险与冲击载荷的大小和分布直接相关。虽然该领域普遍认识到软组织对骨盆外侧（即“臀部”区域）跌倒时的冲击动力学的重要影响，但有关这些组织的特征、改变它们的因素以及准确描述它们对冲击动力学影响的算法的信息有限。因此，拟议的研究由四个互补的“主题”组成，将对骨盆区域软组织的基本机械特性、其潜在调节因素以及这些软组织如何影响负载动力学产生新的见解。主题 1 和 2 将使用新颖的超声成像技术来研究个体因素（例如性别、年龄、身体成分）如何影响盆腔软组织的厚度和机械特性。这将通过综合应用剪切波弹性成像以及与压痕力-偏转分析同步的 B 模式成像来实现。在主题 3 中，人类志愿者将被用来检查这些软组织特性对骨盆外侧冲击动力学的影响。具体来说，参与者将经历一系列的加载场景（静态躺到低能量跌落）。应用于骨盆皮肤表面的冲击动力学将通过测力台和高速压力测量系统进行测量，我们将研究主题 1 和 2 中检查的软组织特性与冲击动力学的关系。通过使用经过验证的机械髋部冲击模拟器，之前的所有结果都将整合到主题 4 中。替代软组织材料是为匹配主题 1-​​3 中观察到的特性范围而定制的，将用于创建多达 100 个替代软组织覆盖物。这些软组织被纳入髋部冲击模拟器中，将经历一系列冲击能量的模拟侧向跌倒。负载传感系统将测量冲击动力学，包括最终传递到下面股骨的负载。总之，拟议的研究计划将产生世界上最可靠的骨盆区域软组织特性表征，以及这些组织对横向冲击期间施加到臀部区域的载荷的影响。除了改进横向冲击的数学和机械模型外，这项研究还将促进与行业合作伙伴的合作，以改进基于工程的压疮和髋部骨折负载衰减装置的设计。参与的学员将体验一个公平、多样化和包容性的研究环境，该环境采用多学科方法，包括人体实验研究、新颖的成像技术、机械冲击模拟器和数学建模。这些新颖的技能将支持他们成为学术或行业环境中的未来领导者。