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Prof David Howard's Outputs (104)

Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop (2014)
Journal Article

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of unsupervised community use of an array-based automated setup functional electrical stimulator for current foot-drop functional electrical stimulation (FES) users.

Design

Feasibility study.

S... Read More about Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop.

Biomechanical analysis of the human finger extensor mechanism during isometric pressing (2014)
Journal Article
Milanese, S., Hu, D., Howard, D., & Ren, L. (2014). Biomechanical analysis of the human finger extensor mechanism during isometric pressing. PLoS ONE, 9(4), e94533. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094533

This study investigated the effects of the finger extensor mechanism on the bone-to-bone contact forces at the interphalangeal and metacarpal joints and also on the forces in the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles during finger pressing. This was done w... Read More about Biomechanical analysis of the human finger extensor mechanism during isometric pressing.

A systematic procedure to optimise dose and image quality for the measurement of inter-vertebral angles from lateral spinal projections using Cobb and superimposition methods (2014)
Journal Article
Al Qaroot, B., Hogg, P., Twiste, M., & Howard, D. (2014). A systematic procedure to optimise dose and image quality for the measurement of inter-vertebral angles from lateral spinal projections using Cobb and superimposition methods. Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, 22(5), 613-625. https://doi.org/10.3233/XST-140449

BACKGROUND: Patients with vertebral column deformations are exposed to high risks associated with ionising radiation exposure. Risks are further increased due to the serial X-ray images that are needed to measure and asses their spinal deformation us... Read More about A systematic procedure to optimise dose and image quality for the measurement of inter-vertebral angles from lateral spinal projections using Cobb and superimposition methods.

Automated detection of instantaneous gait events using time frequency analysis and manifold embedding (2013)
Journal Article
using time frequency analysis and manifold embedding. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 21(6), 908-915. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2013.2239313

Accelerometry is a widely used sensing modality
in human biomechanics due to its portability, non-invasiveness, and accuracy. However, difficulties lie in signal variability and interpretation in relation to biomechanical events. In walking, heel st... Read More about Automated detection of instantaneous gait events using time frequency analysis and manifold embedding.

The effects of prosthetic ankle stiffness on ankle and knee kinematics, prosthetic limb loading, and net metabolic cost of trans-tibial amputee gait (2013)
Journal Article
Major, M., Twiste, M., Kenney, L., & Howard, D. (2014). The effects of prosthetic ankle stiffness on ankle and knee kinematics, prosthetic limb loading, and net metabolic cost of trans-tibial amputee gait. Clinical Biomechanics, 29(1), 98-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.10.012

Background
Previous studies of commercially-available trans-tibial prosthetic components have been unable to provide clear insight into the relationships between prosthetic mechanical properties and user performance (i.e., gait quality and energy ex... Read More about The effects of prosthetic ankle stiffness on ankle and knee kinematics, prosthetic limb loading, and net metabolic cost of trans-tibial amputee gait.

Automatic detection of lift-off and touch-down of a pick-up walker using 3D kinematics (2013)
Journal Article
Grootveld, L., Thies, S., Ogden, D., Howard, D., & Kenney, L. (2014). Automatic detection of lift-off and touch-down of a pick-up walker using 3D kinematics. Medical Engineering and Physics, 36(2), 255-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2013.08.008

Walking aids have been associated with falls and it is believed that incorrect use limits their usefulness. Measures are therefore needed that characterize their stable use and the classification of key events in walking aid movement is the first ste... Read More about Automatic detection of lift-off and touch-down of a pick-up walker using 3D kinematics.

The relationship between impairment, functional ability, hand-arm task complexity and set-up difficulty for an Advanced FES Rehab Tool (2013)
Presentation / Conference
Smith, C., Kenney, L., Howard, D., Waring, K., Sun, M., & Hardiker, N. (2013, April). The relationship between impairment, functional ability, hand-arm task complexity and set-up difficulty for an Advanced FES Rehab Tool. Poster presented at Fourth Conference of the UK and Ireland Chapter of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESSUKI), Southampton, UK

The effects of transverse rotation angle on compression and effective lever arm of prosthetic feet during simulated stance (2012)
Journal Article
Major, M., Howard, D., Jones, R., & Twiste, M. (2012). The effects of transverse rotation angle on compression and effective lever arm of prosthetic feet during simulated stance. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 36(2), 231-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364611435996

Background and Aim: Unlike sagittal plane prosthesis alignment, few studies have observed the effects of transverse plane alignment on gait and prosthesis behaviour. Changes in transverse plane rotation angle will rotate the points of loading on the... Read More about The effects of transverse rotation angle on compression and effective lever arm of prosthetic feet during simulated stance.

Effects of ramp negotiation, paving type and shoe sole geometry on toe clearance in young adults (2011)
Journal Article
Thies, S., Jones, R., Kenney, L., Howard, D., & Baker, R. (2011). Effects of ramp negotiation, paving type and shoe sole geometry on toe clearance in young adults. Journal of Biomechanics, 44(15), 2679-2684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.07.027

Trips are a major cause of falls and result from involuntary contact of the foot with the ground during the swing phase of gait. Adequate toe clearance during swing is therefore crucial for safe locomotion. To date, little is known about the effects... Read More about Effects of ramp negotiation, paving type and shoe sole geometry on toe clearance in young adults.

The use of hydrogel as an electrode-skin interface for electrode array FES applications (2011)
Journal Article
Cooper, G., Barker, A., Heller, B., Good, T., Kenney, L., & Howard, D. (2011). The use of hydrogel as an electrode-skin interface for electrode array FES applications. Medical Engineering and Physics, 33(8), 967-982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2011.03.008

Functional electrical stimulation is commonly used to restore function in post-stroke patients in upper and lower limb applications. Location of the electrodes can be a problem hence some research groups have begun to experiment with electrode arrays... Read More about The use of hydrogel as an electrode-skin interface for electrode array FES applications.

A comparative evaluation of sonomyography, electromyography, force, and wrist angle in a discrete tracking task (2011)
Journal Article
Guo, J., Zheng, Y., Kenney, L., Bowen, A., Howard, D., & Canderle, J. (2011). A comparative evaluation of sonomyography, electromyography, force, and wrist angle in a discrete tracking task. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 37(6), 884-891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2011.03.008

We have previously used the real-time change of muscle thickness detected using ultrasound, namely sonomyography (SMG), for prosthesis motor control purposes. In the present study, we further compared subjects’ performance using SMG and surface elect... Read More about A comparative evaluation of sonomyography, electromyography, force, and wrist angle in a discrete tracking task.

Biomechanics for inclusive urban design : effects of tactile paving on older adults’ gait when crossing the street (2011)
Journal Article

In light of our ageing population it is important that the urban environment is easily accessible and hence supports older adults’ independence. Tactile ‘blister’ paving was originally designed to provide guidance for visually impaired people at pede... Read More about Biomechanics for inclusive urban design : effects of tactile paving on older adults’ gait when crossing the street.

Amputee independent prosthesis properties - a new model for description and measurement (2011)
Journal Article
Major, M., Twiste, M., Kenney, L., & Howard, D. (2011). Amputee independent prosthesis properties - a new model for description and measurement. Journal of Biomechanics, 44(14), 2572-2575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.07.016

A model is presented for describing the Amputee Independent Prosthesis Properties (AIPP) of complete assemblies of trans-tibial prosthetic components distal to the socket. This new AIPP model includes features of both lumped parameter and roll-over m... Read More about Amputee independent prosthesis properties - a new model for description and measurement.

The influence of the mechanical properties of trans-tibial prostheses on amputee performance (2010)
Thesis
Major, M. The influence of the mechanical properties of trans-tibial prostheses on amputee performance. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

Achieving the required functionality of a trans-tibial prosthesis during the stance phase of
gait (e.g., shock absorption, close to normal roll-over characteristics, and smooth transition
into swing) depends on the "Amputee Independent Prosthesis P... Read More about The influence of the mechanical properties of trans-tibial prostheses on amputee performance.

A generic analytical foot rollover model for predicting translational ankle kinematics in gait simulation studies (2010)
Journal Article
Ren, L., Howard, D., Ren, L., Nester, C., & Tian, L. (2010). A generic analytical foot rollover model for predicting translational ankle kinematics in gait simulation studies. Journal of Biomechanics, 43(2), 194-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.09.027

The objective of this paper is to develop an analytical framework to representing the ankle-foot kinematics by modelling the foot as a rollover rocker, which cannot only be used as a generic tool for general gait simulation but also allows for case-s... Read More about A generic analytical foot rollover model for predicting translational ankle kinematics in gait simulation studies.

Error in the description of foot kinematics due to violation of rigid body assumptions (2010)
Journal Article
Nester, C., Liu, A., Ward, E., Howard, D., Cocheba, J., & Derrick, T. (2010). Error in the description of foot kinematics due to violation of rigid body assumptions. Journal of Biomechanics, 43(4), 666-672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.10.027

Kinematic data from rigid segment foot models inevitably includes errors because the bones within each segment move relative to each other. This study sought to define error in foot kinematic data due to violation of the rigid segment assumption. The... Read More about Error in the description of foot kinematics due to violation of rigid body assumptions.

An in vivo experimental validation of a computational model of human foot (2009)
Journal Article
Tao, K., Wang, D., Wang, C., Wang, X., Liu, A., Nester, C., & Howard, D. (2009). An in vivo experimental validation of a computational model of human foot. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 6(4), 387-397. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529%2808%2960138-9

Reliable computational foot models offer an alternative means to enhance knowledge on the biomechanics of human foot. Model validation is one of the most critical aspects of the entire foot modeling and analysis process. This paper presents an in viv... Read More about An in vivo experimental validation of a computational model of human foot.