Enhancing Force Absorption, Stress-Strain and Thermal Properties of Weft-Knitted Inlay Spacer Fabric Structures for Apparel Applications.

The pursuit of materials that offer both wear comfort and protection for functional and protective clothing has led to the exploration of weft-knitted spacer structures. Traditional cushioning materials such as spacer fabrics and laminated foam often suffer from deformation under compression stresses, thus compromising their protective properties This study investigates the enhancement of the force absorption, stress-strain, and thermal properties of weft-knitted spacer fabrics with inlays. Surface yarns with superior stretchability and thermal properties are used and combined with elastic yarns in various patterns to fabricate nine different inlay samples.

A Systematic Review of AI-Driven Prediction of Fabric Properties and Handfeel.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the textile industry by improving the prediction of fabric properties and handfeel, which are essential for assessing textile quality and performance. However, the practical application and translation of AI-predicted results into real-world textile production remain unclear, posing challenges for widespread adoption. This paper systematically reviews AI-driven techniques for predicting these characteristics by focusing on model mechanisms, dataset diversity, and prediction accuracy.

Construction of multi-component finite element model to predict biomechanical behaviour of breasts during running and quantification of the stiffness impact of internal structure.

This study aims to investigate the biomechanical behaviour and the stiffness impact of the breast internal components during running. To achieve this, a novel nonlinear multi-component dynamic finite element method (FEM) has been established, which uses experimental data obtained via 4D scanning technology and a motion capture system. The data are used to construct a geometric model that comprises the rigid body, layers of soft tissues, skin, pectoralis major muscle, fat, ligaments and glandular tissues.

Exploration of Textile-Silicone Composites and Materials for Personal Impact-Resistant Protection.

Conventional cushioning materials such as silicone sheets which have been recommended for resisting impact generally cause discomfort to the wearer from heat and perspiration. With the increasing need for personal protective equipment, textile-silicone composite structures are proposed in this study to reduce acute impact and moisture while enhancing thermal comfort. The influence of the composite structure and thickness on the mechanical and thermal properties of textile-silicone materials are systematically investigated.

Ultra-dense Motion Capture: An exploratory full-automatic approach for dense tracking of breast motion in 4D.

Understanding the dynamic deformation pattern and biomechanical properties of breasts is crucial in various fields, including designing ergonomic bras and customized prostheses, as well as in clinical practice. Previous studies have recorded and analyzed the dynamic behaviors of the breast surface using 4D scanning, which provides a sequence of 3D meshes during movement with high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, these studies are limited by the lack of robust and automated data processing methods which result in limited data coverage or error-prone analysis results.

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Different Footwear Midsole Structures on Plantar Pressure Distribution and Bone Stress in Obese and Healthy Children.

The foot, as the foundation of the human body, bears the vast majority of the body's weight. Obese children bear more weight than healthy children in the process of walking and running. This study compared three footwear midsole structures (solid, lattice, and chiral) based on plantar pressure distribution and bone stress in obese and healthy children through numerical simulation.

A Scientometric Analysis and Visualization of Prosthetic Foot Research Work: 2000 to 2022.

This study aims to highlight recent research work on topics around prosthetic feet through a scientometric analysis and historical review. The most cited publications from the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection database were identified and analyzed from 1 January 2000 to 31 October 2022. Original articles, reviews with full manuscripts, conference proceedings, early access documents, and meeting abstracts were included.

A Novel Force-Sensing Smart Textile: Inserting Silicone-Embedded FBG Sensors into a Knitted Undergarment.

A number of textile-based fiber optic sensors have recently been proposed for the continuous monitoring of vital signs. However, some of these sensors are likely unsuitable for conducting direct measurements on the torso as they lack elasticity and are inconvenient. This project provides a novel method for creating a force-sensing smart textile by inlaying four silicone-embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors into a knitted undergarment.

An exploratory study of dynamic foot shape measurements with 4D scanning system.

Accurate and reliable foot measurements at different stances offer comprehensive geometrical information on foot, thus enabling a more comfortable insole/footwear for practical use and daily activities. However, there lacks investigations on continuous deformation of foot shape during the roll-over process. This study analyses the foot deformation of 19 female diabetic patients during half weight bearing standing and self-selected walking speed by using a novel 4D foot scanning system.

Analysis of Diabetic Foot Deformation and Plantar Pressure Distribution of Women at Different Walking Speeds.

Official guidelines state that suitable physical activity is recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus. However, since walking at a rapid pace could be associated with increased plantar pressure and potential foot pain, the footwear condition is particularly important for optimal foot protection in order to reduce the risk of tissue injury and ulceration of diabetic patients. This study aims to analyze foot deformation and plantar pressure distribution at three different walking speeds (slow, normal, and fast walking) in dynamic situations.

Sports Bra Pressure: Effect on Body Skin Temperature and Wear Comfort.

Sports bras are an essential apparel for active women, but may exert excessive pressure that negatively affects thermoregulation, thermal comfort and wear sensation. This study measures skin temperature changes during short durations of exercise on a treadmill with different bra pressures. The results based on 21 female subjects (age: 27.

Influence of Contoured Insoles with Different Materials on Kinematics and Kinetics Changes in Diabetic Elderly during Gait.

Background: Alterations in the lower limb kinematics and kinetics of diabetic patients have been reported in previous studies. Inappropriate choices of orthopedic insole materials, however, fail to prevent diabetic foot ulcers and modify abnormal gait. The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare the effects of contoured insoles with different materials on the kinematics of and kinetics changes in the diabetic elderly during gait.

Effects of contoured insoles with different materials on plantar pressure offloading in diabetic elderly during gait.

To investigate the effect of contoured insoles constructed of different insole materials, including Nora Lunalastik EVA, Nora Lunalight A fresh, Pe-Lite, and PORON Medical 4708 with Langer Biomechanics longitudinal PPT arch pads on offloading plantar pressure on the foot of the elderly with Type 1 or 2 diabetes during gait. Twenty-two elderly with Type 1 or 2 diabetes participated in the study. Their plantar pressure was measured by using an insole measurement system, while the participants walked 10 m in their bare feet or used each experimental insole in random order.

Influence of Upper Footwear Material Properties on Foot Skin Temperature, Humidity and Perceived Comfort of Older Individuals.

Studying the in-shoe microclimate of older individuals is important for enhancing their foot comfort and preventing foot diseases. However, there is a lack of scientific work that explores the thermo-physiological wear comfort of older individuals with different footwear. This study aims to examine the effects of upper footwear materials on changes and distributions in the foot skin temperature and relative humidity for older individuals.

Effects of textile-fabricated insole on foot skin temperature and humidity for enhancing footwear thermal comfort.

Traditional insole materials which trap heat and moisture inside footwear cause discomfort to the wearer. Here, a novel textile-fabricated insole material with a 3D structure that offers good porosity and breathability for improving the footwear microclimate is proposed. Changes in foot skin temperature and humidity when wearing the textile-fabricated insole throughout treadmill walking are collected from 21 female subjects (age: 25.

3D printed auxetic heel pads for patients with diabetic mellitus.

More than 422 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes mellitus (DM) in 2021. Diabetic foot is one the most critical complications resultant of DM. Foot ulceration and infection are frequently arisen, which are associated with changes in the mechanical properties of the plantar soft tissues, peripheral arterial disease, and sensory neuropathy.

Foot deformation analysis with different load-bearing conditions to enhance diabetic footwear designs.

In-depth analyses of foot surface measurements upon weight bearing are crucial to understand how the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot deform during motion to enhance the fit of footwear, which is particularly important for diabetic patients with stringent fit requirements to redistribute the plantar weight forces. This study analyzes diabetic foot deformations under 3 different weight bearing conditions (no weight bearing, half weight bearing, and 80% weight bearing) by using a novel foot scanning method that enables efficient scanning of the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot simultaneously. The feet of 48 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are scanned.

Mechanical and Thermal Behaviours of Weft-Knitted Spacer Fabric Structure with Inlays for Insole Applications.

Insoles provide resistance to ground reaction forces and comfort during walking. In this study, a novel weft-knitted spacer fabric structure with inlays for insoles is proposed which not only absorbs shock and resists pressure, but also allows heat dissipation for enhanced thermal comfort. The results show that the inlay density and spacer yarn increase compression resistance and reduce impact forces.

The immediate effects of hallux valgus orthoses: A comparison of orthosis designs.

Background: Hallux valgus orthoses are available in a wide range of designs and materials, but the effects of their design on functional performance have not been fully investigated.

Research Question: This present study aims to comprehensively analyze the immediate effects of soft and semi-rigid hallux valgus orthoses on balance, plantar pressure, hallux valgus angle, and subjective sensations.

Methods: Sixteen female subjects have participated in the study, including 10 subjects with healthy feet and 6 with hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus orthosis characteristics and effectiveness: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: The treatment effect of orthoses for hallux valgus (HV) is unclear with little interventional studies, the design involves multiple complex factors, and therefore a systematic analysis with meta-analysis is necessary. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine whether current foot orthoses are effective in treating HV.

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Impact of postural variation on hand measurements: Three-dimensional anatomical analysis.

In this article, the impact of postural variations on hand anthropometry and distribution of skin strain ratios has been investigated. The literature suggests the glove fit directly affects hand functions. However, gloves currently manufactured based on a static posture failed to provide optimum fit.

Analysis of length of finger segments with different hand postures to enhance glove design.

It is important to understand how the hand and fingers elongate and contract with hand posture for optimally fitting and comfortable gloves. Nevertheless, the measurement and analysis of the finger segments for glove designs remain largely neglected. Here, the length and proportion of the finger segments when splayed and during gripping, and between the dorsal and palm sides of 30 participants are 3D scanned and analysed.

A Novel Bespoke Hypertrophic Scar Treatment: Actualizing Hybrid Pressure and Silicone Therapies with 3D Printing and Scanning.

The treatment of hypertrophic scars (HSs) is considered to be the most challenging task in wound rehabilitation. Conventional silicone sheet therapy has a positive effect on the healing process of HSs. However, the dimensions of the silicone sheet are typically larger than those of the HS itself which may negatively impact the healthy skin that surrounds the HS.

Effect of Contacting Surface on the Performance of Thin-Film Force and Pressure Sensors.

Flexible force and pressure sensors are important for assessing the wear comfort of tightly fitting apparel. Their accuracy and repeatability depend on the sensor itself and the contacting surface. Measurements of the contact pressure on soft surfaces like human skin tend to be erroneous, which could be due to incorrect sensor calibrations.

Customized Fabrication Approach for Hypertrophic Scar Treatment: 3D Printed Fabric Silicone Composite.

Hypertrophic scars (HS) are considered to be the greatest unmet challenge in wound and burn rehabilitation. The most common treatment for HS is pressure therapy, but pressure garments may not be able to exert adequate pressure onto HS due to the complexity of the human body. However, the development of three-dimensional (3D) scanning and direct digital manufacturing technologies has facilitated the customized placement of additively manufactured silicone gel onto fabric as a component of the pressure therapy garment.