Investigation of a Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) System.

A deep brain stimulator (DBS) device is a surgically implanted system that delivers electrical impulses to specific targets in the brain to treat abnormal movement disorders. A DBS is like a cardiac pacemaker, but instead of sending electrical signals to the heart, it sends them to the brain instead. When DBS leads and extension wires are exposed in the biological environment, this can adversely affect impedance and battery life, resulting in poor clinical outcomes.

A three-dimensional parametric adult head model with representation of scalp shape variability under hair.

Modeling the shape of the scalp and face is essential for the design of protective helmets and other head-borne equipment. However, head anthropometry studies using optical scanning rarely capture scalp shape because of hair interference. Data on scalp shape is available from bald men, but female data are generally not available.

Firefighter Hand Anthropometry and Structural Glove Sizing: A New Perspective.

Objective: We evaluated the current use and fit of structural firefighting gloves and developed an improved sizing scheme that better accommodates the U.S. firefighter population.

Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: Anthropometric aspects.

This study developed anthropometric information on U.S. firefighters to guide fire-apparatus seat and seatbelt designs and future standards development.

Comparison of measured and self-reported anthropometric information among firefighters: implications and applications.

This study evaluated the accuracy of self-reported body weight and height compared to measured values among firefighters and identified factors associated with reporting error. A total of 863 male and 88 female firefighters in four US regions participated in the study. The results showed that both men and women underestimated their body weight ( - 0.

Sizing firefighters: method and implications.

Objective: This article reports new anthropometric information of U.S. firefighters for fire apparatus design applications (Study 1) and presents a data method to assist in firefighter anthropometric data usage for research-to-practice propositions (Study 2).

Analysis of firetruck crashes and associated firefighter injuries in the United States.

Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for on-duty firefighters. Firetruck crashes, occurring at a rate of approximately 30,000 crashes per year, have potentially dire consequences for the vehicle occupants and for the community if the firetruck was traveling to provide emergency services. Data from the United States Fire Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that firefighters neglect to buckle their seatbelts while traveling in a fire apparatus, thus putting themselves at a high risk for injuries if the truck crashes, especially in rollover crashes.

Multimodal quantitative analysis of early pulsed-dye laser treatment of scars at a pediatric burn hospital.

Background: The pulsed-dye laser (PDL) is a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment of hyperemic and hypertrophic scars.

Objective: To compare the effects of early PDL treatment plus compression therapy (CT) with those of CT alone in patients undergoing burn scar reconstruction with split-thickness grafts on an extremity.

Methods: Laser treatments were applied to one half of the graft seam.

Harness sizing and strap length configurations.

Objective: This article describes the derivation of strap lengths and adjustments to fall-arrest harnesses and the development of harness size configurations.

Background: Updated harness sizing configurations are needed to accommodate diverse populations in the current workforce.

Method: Three-dimensional torso anthropometric data from 243 women and 258 men were incorporated into eight validated equations to develop a cost-effective harness sizing plan and to define strap lengths.

Evaluation of fall arrest harness sizing schemes.

Objective: This paper evaluated harness sizing schemes and anthropometric criteria for harness design applications.

Background: Updated harness sizing systems are needed to accommodate diverse populations in the current workforce.

Method: Three-dimensional torso scan data and human-harness interfaces from 108 women and 108 men were digitally captured.

Effect of weight loss on cellulite: gynoid lypodystrophy.

Background: Gynoid lipodystrophy (cellulite) affects most women, and many seek plastic surgery consultation to improve appearance. Various products are offered, but the literature on the cause and treatment is limited. Understanding the biological and biophysical factors that affect severity may facilitate the development of effective therapies.

Quantitative model of cellulite: three-dimensional skin surface topography, biophysical characterization, and relationship to human perception.

Gynoid lipodystrophy (cellulite) is the irregular, dimpled skin surface of the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks in 85% of post-adolescent women. The distinctive surface morphology is believed to result when subcutaneous adipose tissue protrudes into the lower reticular dermis, thereby creating irregularities at the surface. The biomechanical properties of epidermal and dermal tissue may also influence severity.

Sizing and fit of fall-protection harnesses.

Full-body fall-protection harnesses have been a critical work-practice control technology for reducing the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities among construction workers; yet, very little is known about the fit of these harnesses to the population that wears them. This study evaluated the fit and sizing efficacy of a harness system. Seventy-two male and 26 female construction workers participated in the study.