Plantar pressure distribution is a thoroughly recognized parameter for evaluating foot structure and biomechanical behavior, as it is utilized to determine musculoskeletal conditions and diagnose foot abnormalities. Experimental testing is currently being utilized to investigate static foot conditions using invasive and noninvasive techniques. These methods are usually expensive and laborious, and they lack valuable data since they only evaluate compressive forces, missing the complex stress combinations the foot undergoes while standing. The present investigation applied medical and engineering methods to predict pressure points in a healthy foot soft tissue during normal standing conditions. Thus, a well-defined three-dimensional foot biomodel was constructed to be numerically analyzed through medical imaging. Two study cases were developed through a structural finite element analysis. The first study was developed to evaluate barefoot behavior deformation and stresses occurring in the plantar region. The results from this analysis were validated through baropodometric testing. Subsequently, a customized 3D model total-contact foot orthosis was designed to redistribute peak pressures appropriately, relieving the plantar region from excessive stress. The results in the first study case successfully demonstrated the prediction of the foot sole regions more prone to suffer a pressure concentration since the values are in good agreement with experimental testing. Employing a customized insole proved to be highly advantageous in fulfilling its primary function, reducing peak pressure points substantially. The main aim of this paper was to provide more precise insights into the biomechanical behavior of foot pressure points through engineering methods oriented towards innovative assessment for absolute customization for orthotic devices.

The use of titanium as a biomaterial for the treatment of dental implants has been successful and has become the most viable and common option. However, in the last three decades, new alternatives have emerged, such as polymers that could replace metallic materials. The aim of this research work is to demonstrate the structural effects caused by the fatigue phenomenon and the comparison with polymeric materials that may be biomechanically viable by reducing the stress shielding effect at the bone–implant interface. A numerical simulation was performed using the finite element method. Variables such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s coefficient, density, yield strength, ultimate strength, and the S-N curve were included. Prior to the simulation, a representative digital model of both a dental implant and the bone was developed. A maximum load of 550 N was applied, and the analysis was considered linear, homogeneous, and isotropic. The results obtained allowed us to observe the mechanical behavior of the dental implant by means of displacements and von Mises forces. They also show the critical areas where the implant tends to fail due to fatigue. Finally, this type of non-destructive analysis proves to be versatile, avoids experimentation on people and/or animals, and reduces costs, and the iteration is unlimited in evaluating various structural parameters (geometry, materials, properties, etc.).

This paper presents a synthesis of a spherical parallel manipulator for a shoulder of a seven-degrees-of-freedom prosthetic human arm using a multi-objective optimization. Three design objectives are considered, namely the workspace, the dexterity, and the actuators torques. The parallel manipulator is modelled considering 13 design parameters in an optimization procedure. Due to the non-linearity of the design problem, genetic algorithms are implemented. The outcomes show that a suitable performance of the manipulator is achieved using the proposed optimization.

Numerical analysis computational programs are applied to the research of biological tissues, which have complex forms. Continuous technological advance has facilitated the development of biomodels to evaluate biological tissues of different human body systems using computerized axial tomography to produce complex three-dimensional models that represent the morphological and physiological characteristics of the real tissues. Biomodels are applied to numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method and provide a perspective of the mechanical behavior in the system. In this study, a numerical evaluation was performed by developing a biomodel of the humerus, radius, and ulna (the elbow joint, composed of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and cartilage). Also introduced to the biomodel were the ligaments of the capsule joint, collateral ligaments of the ulna, and collateral ligaments of the radius. The biomodel was imported into a computer program to perform a numerical analysis considering the mechanical properties of cortical and trabecular bone (including elasticity modulus, shear modulus, Poisson relation, and density). The embedding conditions were defined to restrict displacements and rotations in the proximal zone of the humerus, applying a compression load to the other end of the biomodel at the distal area of the radius and ulna. The results are the direct consequence of how boundary conditions and external agents are applied to the structure to be analyzed, and the data obtained show how the behavior of the force applied through the component produces stresses and strains as a whole, as well as for each of the components. These stresses and strains can indicate zones with structural problems and the detection areas causing pain (assisting in a better diagnosis).

The modelling of biological structures has allowed great advances in Engineering, Biology, and Medicine. In turn, these advances are seen from the design of footwear and sports accessories, to the design of prostheses, accessories and rehabilitation treatments. The reproduction of the various tissues has gone through an important evolution thanks to the development of computer systems and programs. However, knowledge of the medical‐biological and engineering areas continues to be required, and it involves a considerable investment of time and resources. The resulting biomodels still require great precision. The present work shows a methodology that allows to optimize computational resources and reduce elaboration time of biomodels. Through this methodology, it is possible to generate a biomodel of high biofidelity of a human knee. This biomodel is constituted by hard tissues (cortical and trabecular bones) and soft tissues (ligaments and meniscus) resulting in the modelling of the lower third of the femur, the tibial plateaus, the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, external lateral ligament, interior lateral ligaments, and the meniscus. With this model and methodology, it is possible to perform numerical analyses that will provide results very similar to those of real life. As, the methodology allows to assign the mechanical properties to each tissue and the anatomical structure.