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Biomechanical Changes on the Typical Sites of Pressure Ulcers in the Process of Turning Over from Supine Position: Theoretical Analysis, Simulation, and Experiment

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Abstract

Pressure ulcers are mainly caused by prolonged pressure on local tissues. The current method of preventing pressure ulcers is mainly to change the patient's position by turning, so it is significant to study the biomechanics of the typical site of pressure ulcers. Based on anatomical theory, a three-dimensional model of the shoulder and hip was established, and the theoretical contact pressure between the body and the bed was calculated by force analysis. Then, finite element models of typical parts of pressure ulcers were established, and the maximum stresses under different boundary conditions were obtained by finite element analysis. Finally, a human body turning experiment was conducted using a pressure distribution sensor, and the pressure distribution clouds and maximum contact pressure curves under different turning angles were obtained. The results show that the extreme point of maximum stress occurs at \(90^{ \circ }\), producing a stress concentration phenomenon; the peak stresses at the shoulder and hip are more balanced in the angular threshold range of \(30^{ \circ }\) to \(45^{ \circ }\), the stresses are more dispersed, and there exists an angular threshold for optimal integrated pressure, which can improve the efficiency of the use of assisted turning equipment. The relevant results help to explain the causes of pressure ulcer disease and can provide clinical references to improve the effectiveness of care.

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Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52005045), and National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2019YFC0119200), and Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality (Grant Nos. 19L2018 and 3202003) that supported this work.

Funding

This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52005045), and National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2019YFC0119200), and Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality (Grant Nos. 19L2018 and 3202003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electromechanical Engineering, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Beijing, China

    Peng Su, Qinglong Lun, Qiulong Wu & Tian Liu

  2. School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China

    Da Lu

  3. Beijing Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China

    Leiyu Zhang

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  1. Peng Su
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  4. Qiulong Wu
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Correspondence to Leiyu Zhang.

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Associate Editor Ender A. Finol oversaw the review of this article.

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Su, P., Lun, Q., Lu, D. et al. Biomechanical Changes on the Typical Sites of Pressure Ulcers in the Process of Turning Over from Supine Position: Theoretical Analysis, Simulation, and Experiment. Ann Biomed Eng 50, 654–665 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-022-02938-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-022-02938-9

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