http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/14668 Graduates in MSPO receive experience in clinical practice, research and development, product design and manufacture, academic and clinical research, and teaching in prosthetics and orthotics. Search the Channel search http://smartech.gatech.edu/simple-search http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/28687 Title: Consistency and Magnitude of Pinch Force in Voluntary Opening Body Powered Terminal Devices <br/> <br/>Authors: Gold, Brian <br/> <br/>Description: MSPO Research Presentation, April 22, 2009 at the Centennial Research Building (CRB) Room 119J on the Georgia Tech campus. http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/28686 Title: Calibration of an in-socket pressure measurement system using different interface materials <br/> <br/>Authors: Chen, Ru <br/> <br/>Description: MSPO Research Presentation, April 22, 2009 at the Centennial Research Building (CRB) Room 119J on the Georgia Tech campus. http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/28685 Title: A Static Evaluation of Transtibial Prosthesis Suspension <br/> <br/>Authors: Brooks, Dustin <br/> <br/>Abstract: Previously, there have been a number of studies comparing different transtibial suspension methods; however, studies using elevated negative pressure (vacuum) as a suspension method are limited. The purpose of this study is to compare three methods of transtibial suspension (vacuum, suction, and knee sleeve) with respect to pistoning. Our hypotheses were: one that vacuum suspension will significantly reduce the amount of pistoning compared to knee sleeve and suction suspensions, and two that a greater magnitude of pistoning would be apparent in individuals with a higher percentage of redundant tissue. Seven subjects with unilateral transtibial amputations were included in this study. A custom made prosthesis was fabricated for each subject that allowed for easy conversion between suspension methods. For each suspension method, radiographic scans of the subject’s limb were produced inside the prosthetic socket using the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner for three conditions. These conditions, designed to simulated dynamic gait, consited of an unweighted, loaded to half body weight, and a 44.5 N distraction. Using a multivariate repeated measures ANOVA along with a Bonferroni post-hoc analysis, statistical significance was shown between both knee sleeve and suction and between knee sleeve and vacuum suspensions with regard to pistoning. Although statistically insignificant, the p value (p=0.063) was very close to the alpha level for significance of 0.05 between suction and vacuum suspensions. In contrast to previous schools of thought this study has also shown that the amount of redundant tissue and pistoning are not strongly correlated. <br/> <br/>Description: MSPO Research Presentation, April 22, 2009 at the Centennial Research Building (CRB) Room 119J on the Georgia Tech campus. http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/28684 Title: Comparison of Body Composition Measurements in Amputees vs. Non-Amputees <br/> <br/>Authors: Larkins, Denise <br/> <br/>Abstract: Assessing body composition is important to provide information about nutritional status and health risks. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if there is a significant difference in body composition depending on measurement method and if the discrepancy in measurement method is greater for amputees than for non-amputees. Methods: 23 subjects (12 lower limb amputees and 11 non-amputees) were matched based on sex, age, height, weight, ethnicity, and self-reported activity level. Subject’s body composition was assessed through Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) using a Lunar Prodigy whole body scanner (GE Medical Systems, Madison, WI), Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) using an OMRON (Bannockburn, IL) hand-held body fat analyzer, and the Skinfold Technique with calipers from Cambridge Scientific Industries, Inc. (Cambridge, Maryland). Results: 2-way ANOVA for % body fat by measurement method and percent body fatness showed a main effect for measurement method (p=0.02). Post hoc showed significant difference between BIA & DEXA (p=0.01). There was no interaction effect for measurement method and body fatness (average vs. above average) p=0.77. 2 way ANOVA for % body fat by measurement method and type of individual (amputee vs. non-amputee) showed a main effect for measurement method (p=0.03). Post hoc showed significant difference between BIA & DEXA (p=0.04). There was no interaction effect for measurement method and type of individual (p=0.70). Conclusions: There is a significant difference in body composition depending on measurement method. There is a trend for body composition to differ more by method for subjects with above average % body fat than for subjects with average % body fat. Likewise, there is a trend for body composition to differ more by method for amputees than for non-amputees. <br/> <br/>Description: MSPO Research Presentation, April 15, 2009 at the Centennial Research Building (CRB) Room 119J on the Georgia Tech campus.