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Biomedical subjects

G Fernie

Publications and source records attributed to G Fernie.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Understanding and measuring powered wheelchair mobility and manoeuvrability. Part I. Reach in confined spaces.

PURPOSE: To determine: (1) what wheelchair manoeuvrability factors are important and (2) the effects of powered wheelchair design on the ability to reach in a confined space. METHOD: The relative importance of five aspects of wheelchair manoeuvrability was determined through a survey of users of wheelchairs (N = 52) and health care professionals and others (N = 89). A single young, non-disabled subject undertook repeated trials of reach distance on to a counter at the end of a corridor whose width could be adjusted by moving Styrofoam walls. RESULTS: Reaching, moving in confined spaces and avoiding collisions were more important than speed and avoiding the need to drive backwards. The rear wheel drive powered wheelchair was found to allow the greatest reach when driving backwards into the space and the wheelchair which moved in a sideways direction allowed greatest reach in the narrowest corridor. CONCLUSIONS: The survey concluded that manoeuvring in small spaces and reaching without collisions were important. The powered wheelchair with sideways capability afforded the greatest reach in confined spaces except when the rear wheel drive chair was driven in backwards. The survey respondents did not place a high priority on avoiding backwards driving but some people find this difficult to do safely.

Comprehension↗
PubMed2005

Neuropsychological impairment as a consequence of football (soccer) play and football heading: preliminary analyses and report on university footballers.

Previous research has claimed neuropsychological impairment occurs as a result of professional and amateur football play, and, specifically, football heading. However, much of this research exhibits substantial methodological problems. By investigating less committed amateur level footballers, the current study sought to gain some insight into the developmental history of any neuropsychological consequences of football play. University football, rugby and noncontact sports players were compared on a range of biographical and neuropsychological test variables. While playing their chosen sports, rugby players sustained many more head injuries than footballers and noncontact sportsmen, but footballers did not sustain significantly more head injuries than noncontact sportsmen. The number of head injuries sustained predicted Trails B and TAP Divided Attention latencies in a positive fashion. After controlling for the number of head injuries sustained, sport group effects were detected with TAP Divided Attention accuracy scores, with footballers exhibiting poorest performance. After controlling for the number of head injuries sustained, the total amount of heading done by footballers predicted the number of Wisconsin Card Sorting category shifts in a negative fashion. Nevertheless, over interpretation of all of these results should be resisted because of the exploratory nature of the analyses and the possibility that the sport groups may differ in ways other than just the nature of their sports activities.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Consent and the individual detained in custody.

It has been acknowledged that autonomy is one of the prima facie principles in modern medical practice and integral to the interchange between doctor and patient even if that meeting does not fulfil the normal criteria for a consultation. The lead having been taken by other jurisdictions, the General Medical Council, the UK national regulatory body for doctors, has now acknowledged the concept of informed consent that was first espoused in cases such as Rogers v. Whitaker. In regard to the concept of informed consent, there are three pertinent issues that the Forensic Physician should consider in deciding upon the adequacy of this: Did that person have capacity in the eyes of the law? The Forensic Physician may be asked to examine individuals whose age span ranges from the newly born to the elderly and there will be potential conflict of interest between parent and child or elderly people and their carers. Even if adequate information was imparted, did a person under the (significant) influence of alcohol or drugs understand the likely implications that would flow from their decision? Was the individual concerned given appropriate information beforehand--in other words, was the consent truly informed? Was the consent given voluntarily? Voluntariness is probably the most significant ethical worry likely to confront the doctor, particularly when examining an individual for fitness to be detained or fitness to be interviewed, both categories of which make up the main work load in this sub-specialty. The thorny ethical dilemmas faced in this specialty are considered and how the professional standard originally defined in Hunter v Hanley and re-iterated in the Bolam test (with subsequent modification in Bolitho) affect the way in which the clinician deals with the problems is likely to face.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMed2001

Product development: using a 3D computer model to optimize the stability of the Rocket powered wheelchair.

A three-dimensional (3D) lumped-parameter model of a powered wheelchair was created to aid the development of the Rocket prototype wheelchair and to help explore the effect of innovative design features on its stability. The model was developed using simulation software, specifically Working Model 3D. The accuracy of the model was determined by comparing both its static stability angles and dynamic behavior as it passed down a 4.8-cm (1.9") road curb at a heading of 45 degrees with the performance of the actual wheelchair. The model's predictions of the static stability angles in the forward, rearward, and lateral directions were within 9.3, 7.1, and 3.8% of the measured values, respectively. The average absolute error in the predicted position of the wheelchair as it moved down the curb was 2.2 cm/m (0.9" per 3'3") traveled. The accuracy was limited by the inability to model soft bodies, the inherent difficulties in modeling a statically indeterminate system, and the computing time. Nevertheless, it was found to be useful in investigating the effect of eight design alterations on the lateral stability of the wheelchair. Stability was quantified by determining the static lateral stability angles and the maximum height of a road curb over which the wheelchair could successfully drive on a diagonal heading. The model predicted that the stability was more dependent on the configuration of the suspension system than on the dimensions and weight distribution of the wheelchair. Furthermore, for the situations and design alterations studied, predicted improvements in static stability were not correlated with improvements in dynamic stability.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1997

A guideline for the design of a four-wheeled walker.

More people use assistive technology devices to compensate for mobility impairments than for any other general type of impairment. Increasing numbers of people with mobility or balance problems use walkers with four wheels. Four-wheeled walkers are often outfitted with seats to make it possible to travel longer distances with intermediate resting periods. The dangers of sitting on a parked walker are well known. Many physiotherapists tell walker users to park the walker against a wall to prevent injury in case the user forgets to apply the brakes or the brakes fail. To design a safer walker that can be used for sitting, the demands placed on it must be measured. With these data, three modes of walker instability must be considered: first, the brakes may hold but the wheels may slide along the ground; second, the entire walker may tip over; and third, the brakes may fail to hold the wheels in place, and they may begin to roll. Mathematical models can be constructed to simulate how different walker designs will perform. By this process, design improvements can be made for existing walkers, and future walker designs can also be proposed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Specifications for a mass producible static lounge chair for the elderly.

An adjustable seating rig was used to create the three-dimensional shape of a static lounge chair. Elderly subjects from long-term care and rehabilitation hospital wards tested the chair. Questionnaires and video tapes were used to evaluate their comfort, posture, safety and ease of ingress/egress. The test shape was modified on the basis of results and retested to a total of four shapes. Contours and specifications of the final chair are presented.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Chairs for the elderly--design considerations.

Ageing brings a number of normal physical changes and sometimes is accompanied by diseases that affect physical functions and abilities. Therefore, the elderly require special consideration in the design of chairs. Requirements for three types of chairs for the elderly are presented. A description of a typical user of each chair provides a reference for the level of ability that must be accommodated. Features of the chairs that promote comfort, safety, ease of ingress and egress and ease of propulsion (where applicable) are discussed in relation to some of the special problems experienced by some of the older members of the population.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1978

Biofeedback training of knee control in the above-knee amputee.

Learning to control a prosthetic knee is a difficult task for the above-knee amputee. A biofeedback training system was designed to help with this problem. The system was found to be useful with several aspects of knee control. Fifteen patients completed a biofeedback training program. Two of these patients did not benefit to the same degree as the other thirteen.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Technology to assist elderly people's safe mobility.

A grab bar shape has been presented that appears to provide an effective alternative to knurled finishes. This grab bar has been incorporated into a system that can be easily positioned anywhere in a room to help an ambulatory disabled person rise from a bed or other surface. The problem of lifting nonambulatory elderly people has been addressed by means of a modular mobile lifting system that offers the advantage of overhead lifting at lower cost than traditional movement devices for nonambulatory people. The author suggests that low-technology solutions are worthy of academic effort and that movement devices for elderly people must also address the needs of their formal and informal caregivers.

Adult↗