Biomedical subjects

J K Mahood

Publications and source records attributed to J K Mahood.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Bluetooth wireless database for scoliosis clinics.

A database system with Bluetooth wireless connectivity has been developed so that scoliosis clinics can be run more efficiently and data can be mined for research studies without significant increases in equipment cost. The wireless database system consists of a Bluetooth-enabled laptop or PC and a Bluetooth-enabled handheld personal data assistant (PDA). Each patient has a profile in the database, which has all of his or her clinical history. Immediately prior to the examination, the orthopaedic surgeon selects a patient's profile from the database and uploads that data to the PDA over a Bluetooth wireless connection. The surgeon can view the entire clinical history of the patient while in the examination room and, at the same time, enter in any new measurements and comments from the current examination. After seeing the patient, the surgeon synchronises the newly entered information with the database wirelessly and prints a record for the chart. This combination of the database and the PDA both improves efficiency and accuracy and can save significant time, as there is less duplication of work, and no dictation is required. The equipment required to implement this solution is a Bluetooth-enabled PDA and a Bluetooth wireless transceiver for the PC or laptop.

Computers, Handheld↗

PubMed2002

Using three-dimensional difference maps to assess changes in scoliotic deformities.

The three-dimensional nature of scoliosis, coupled with changes due to natural history or treatment, is often difficult to quantify and visualise. A difference map was developed to compare the sequential surface topography of subjects over their treatment period. Three-dimensional surface maps representing patients' trunk surfaces were captured with a laser scanner. Patient surface maps from two clinic visits were matched using a manual best-fit technique that accounted for growth and positioning. The surfaces were subtracted, generating a colour-coded three-dimensional difference map displaying the surface changes. The difference maps were compared with known clinical measures, indicating good agreement (78% specific) with the clinical parameters in detecting change. Full agreement or agreement with the clinical parameters occurred in the surgical, brace and no treatment groups: 76%, 80% and 85%, respectively. A difference index (average of the absolute value of differences on a point-by-point basis) was calculated from the difference map, enabling quantification of change. The difference index, with zero being a perfect match, averaged 5 +/- 1 for repeated measures 7 +/- 2 for subjects deemed to have no change, 9 +/- 2 for subjects with slight change, and 14 +/- 2 for subjects with significant change. The difference map showed the extent and location of changes and is a useful tool for assessing surface topography changes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Instrumented rod rotator system for spinal surgery.

An electronically instrumented rod rotator has been developed to monitor forces and moments applied by surgeons during the derotation manoeuver to correct spinal curvature. This instrumented rod rotator consisted of an inclinometer and two pairs of strain gauges, with all the support circuitry. The strain gauge and the inclinometer data were sampled with a data-acquisition system, and the results were displayed in real time. The device was calibrated in the laboratory and used on seven subjects. The precision of the load measurement of this device was +/- 5 N in the range of 5-65N. The distance between the middle of the rod rotator handle to the rod position was 0.21 m. The maximum loads applied by the surgeon during seven surgeries were from 22 to 57N, with a torque (force x distance) from 4.6 to 12 Nm.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The daily force pattern of spinal orthoses in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The efficacy of orthotic treatment for children with abnormal spinal curvature has been hampered by the lack of comprehensive information about wear characteristics. A battery-powered microcomputer system was developed to monitor loads exerted by orthoses used to treat children with spinal deformities during daily living. The system not only records how well the orthosis has been used, but also helps to ensure that the orthosis is being worn as prescribed. Data acquisition is controlled by a microcontroller and can be programmed to have sample intervals ranging from 1 second to 1 hour. Low power control circuitry is designed so that the system can be operated by a battery. In a preliminary study, 16 subjects (3M, 13F) used this system from 1 to 16 days (9.3 +/- 5.0) with the prescribed hours between 16 to 23 hours (22.3 +/- 1.3). This study demonstrated the feasibility of the approach, and that this device may increase the understanding of orthotic mechanics, and may help patients to wear their orthoses in a better way.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Melatonin levels in idiopathic scoliosis. Diurnal and nocturnal serum melatonin levels in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Matched pairs of adolescent girls were used to compare serum melatonin levels in adolescent patients and control subjects with idiopathic scoliosis during the day and in the middle of the night. OBJECTIVES: To compare serum melatonin levels in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and matched control subjects during the day and in the middle of the night. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recent studies using the chick as the animal model have suggested that the pineal gland and its main product, melatonin, might be involved in the cause of scoliosis. There have been no studies of melatonin levels in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: Blood was collected from seven adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis and a group of seven age-matched control subjects. Two samples were collected, one in the middle of the day and one in the middle of the night, to examine the diurnal variation of melatonin production. Serum melatonin levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay technique. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in serum melatonin levels between experimental and control groups either during the day, when melatonin levels were low, or during the night, when melatonin levels were high. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas pinealectomy in young chickens leads to reduced melatonin levels and the development of scoliosis, the results of this study suggest that melatonin levels in mature patients who already have severe scoliosis do not differ from healthy subjects. Whether melatonin levels differ in humans between healthy subjects and patients with scoliosis at the time of onset of the disease remains to be seen.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Growth beyond skeletal maturity.

Serial measurements of standing and sitting height of children show that growth continues beyond the age of skeletal maturity when judged by the fusion of the epiphyses of the hand and wrist. Most of this increase occurs in the sitting height, largely reflecting spinal growth, and may account for the known progression potential of idiopathic scoliosis beyond the attainment of skeletal maturity.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trunk distortion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Trunk images of children with scoliosis were examined to determine features that contribute to the impression of trunk distortion. Twenty subjects with spinal deformity ranging from none to severe were photographed in a relaxed standing position. Seven blinded evaluators subjectively scored their impressions of the trunk appearance, shoulder-height difference, shoulder-angle asymmetry, decompensation, scapula asymmetry, waist crease, waist asymmetry, and pelvic asymmetry. Regression analysis was used with the latter seven features to predict overall impression. The seven measures of the deformity predicted 85% of the overall impression of trunk distortion; scapular asymmetry was the best predictor. Trunk deformity is the most obvious effect of scoliosis to the patients. Objective approaches to the assessment of this important but difficult-to-quantify aspect of idiopathic scoliosis are available and should be used to evaluate treatment outcomes.

Adolescent↗