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PubMed · 8035357

A skin indentation system using a pneumatic bellows.

M Ferguson-Pell·S Hagisawa·R D Masiello
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Abstract

A pneumatic indentation system using a copper bellows has been developed for physiological studies where a controlled uniaxial compressive force is required to be applied to the surface of the skin. Such a system is useful for studies where the physiological response of the tissues is to be monitored following a known loading history. The indentation system is driven by a vacuum/compression pneumatic pump through solenoid valves under closed-loop computer control. A load cell placed between the indentor and bellows monitors the applied force providing a feedback signal to the computer. The signal from the computer activates the valves supplying air pressure to the bellows, and the applied force is controlled using a digital closed-loop protocol. This system can be used to provide a controlled loading sequence to the skin without utilizing gravitational forces, which allows the subject to keep a more natural position during the experiment.

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Equipment DesignHumansHyperemiaIschemiaMonitoring, PhysiologicPressurePressure UlcerSkinSkin Physiological PhenomenaJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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M Ferguson-Pell, S Hagisawa, R D Masiello. 1994. A skin indentation system using a pneumatic bellows.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8035357/

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