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H A Patterson

Publications and source records attributed to H A Patterson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Strain in the anteromedial bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament under combination loading.

Strain within the anteromedial bundle (AMB) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was measured in 13 human knee specimens in order to determine the combination of external loads most likely to cause injury. Using a load application system that allowed 5 df with the flexion angle being fixed, pure loads of anterior/posterior force, medial/lateral force, varus/valgus torque, and internal/external axial torque were applied at three flexion angles: 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees. Combined loads were applied in pairs at two flexion angles: 0 degrees and 30 degrees. Liquid mercury strain gauges were used to measure strain in the ACL. Anterior tibial force was the primary determinant of strain in the anteromedial bundle. This strain was significantly larger at 30 degrees flexion than at 0 degrees. The strain sensitivity of the AMB to medial force was approximately one-half that to pure anterior force. The effect of anterior and medial forces was additive when applied in combination. Neither pure axial torque nor pure varus/valgus torque was observed to strain significantly the AMB at any of the flexion angles investigated. However, valgus torque in combination with anterior force resulted in a significantly larger strain than pure anterior force. Internal axial torque in combination with anterior force also resulted in a larger strain than pure anterior force.

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Implementation of a five degree of freedom automated system to determine knee flexibility in vitro.

This article describes an automated system designed to study the complete flexibility functions of the knee in vitro. The system allows five degrees of freedom with flexion angle being fixed, though adjustable from 0 to 45 deg. Loads corresponding to each of the five motions can be applied independently and in any combination. The effect of weight bearing on knee flexibility can also be studied by including axial force as one of the five loads. The relative motions are measured with LVDT's and RVDT's, and the loads are measured with strain gage transducers. The system is digitally controlled with a closed feedback loop, allowing for any combination of programmed loads. A control algorithm on an IBM PC/AT monitors the loads on each axis and continuously adjusts stepping motors to correctly follow programmed loads. The machine coordinate system corresponds to clinically accepted definitions of motion yet retains sequence independence for rotations. Results are presented demonstrating the repeatability of using a functional definition of axis placement to align the leg within the machine. Results are also presented demonstrating the utility of the full flexibility functions of the knee, notably in the determination of significant load interactions between anterior/posterior force and internal/external torque, and varus/valgus torque and internal/external torque.

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