Force Quantification of IASTM device

Final Project ME 597
1
Mechanical Engineering
Force Quantification of
IASTM and Validation
through Test Rig

2
Table of Contents
Abstract...........................................................................................................3
Project Requirements..........................................................................................4
Previous Study..................................................................................................5
Introduction......................................................................................................7
Test Rig ........................................................................................................11
Mathematical Formulation and Vector Analysis .....................................................................15
Result .......................................................................................................................................18
Sample Calculations.................................................................................................................19
Graphical plots .........................................................................................................................20
Procedure for Test Rig.............................................................................................................22
FEA analysis ............................................................................................................................24
Bill of Material.........................................................................................................................28
Conclusions....................................................................................................29
Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................30
References .....................................................................................................31
Appendix
Appendix A ..........................................................................................................................32
Appendix B ..........................................................................................................................33

3
Abstract
The overarching purpose of this proposed research project was to develop, compare and
evaluate design concepts for a clinically-applicable system to quantify the force delivered
during instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) for the treatment of common
clinical conditions. In this report we lay stress on the sensor used to measure the forces and
designof a test rig that willapply a series of pre-determined forces and compare them against
the forces measured by the IASTM device. The setup of the text rig consists of a simple belt-
pulley mechanism that is used to apply the force on the Instrument. The weights are hung on
the belt through the hook and the force is transferred to the instrument via tension in the
belt. The force on the instrument is measured/calculated by vector analysis and put in a
tabulated form for further use by other individuals. The test rig was designed by using Pro-
Engineer and the force analysis were done using simulation software i.e. ANASYS Workbench.
There is a pressing need to quantify the force delivered during massage. Although this form
of manual therapy has been used in a widespread manner for millennia, its therapeutic
potential, optimal dosing and underlying biological mechanisms are not well established due,
in part, to the lack of force quantification.

4
Project Requirements:
 The main requirement of this project was to quantify the force measured by the force
sensor used in the IASTM device for clinical purposes.
 Different sensors were selected based on their properties and specifications meeting
our requirements.
 However to validate the force measured by the sensor, we need a test rig to
successfully validate the reading of the forces from the force sensor installed in the
instrument.
 There are different test rig available in the market that work electronically with their
precisions and calibrations. But we need a device that is built mechanically and does
not involve any electrical components that need calibrations.
 We also need the test rig to hold the instrument securely and will be able to validate
the readings from the sensor at given angle range.
 The test rig should also be able to withstand the given loads without failure.
 Working on that path a test rig was designed and analyzed which is the main aim of
this report is described as we read the report.

5
Previous Study
Massage therapies have been used for thousands of years to improve human health and well-
being. In fact, such therapies make up approximately 45% of the total physiotherapy
treatments provided for muscle ailments 1. It is a general belief that massage reduces muscle
tension, excitability, and stress hormones, as well as increases the blood flow and
parasympathetic activities 2–6. Clinical research has provided modest evidence that massage
therapies are effective in promoting muscle recovery from injury 6–9, alleviating lymphedema
10–12, and relieving lower back pain 13–15.
Figure 1
Massage practitioners believe that lengthwise strokes parallel to the natural tissue surface
plays a significant role in relieving the patient’s symptoms by unblocking tissue energy
blockages and reintroducing the optimal flow of energy. Due to the effectiveness of massage,
there has been a concomitant increase in the development of robotic massage systems and
investigations to explain the mechanisms of massage actions beyond qualitative observations
and personal experiences. In an effort to accurately deliver mechanical forces and to mimic
manual massage, several systems have been developed.

6
Figure 2
There are various experiments and studies that talk about the force quantization for IASTM.
Those experiments either quantify a relative smaller force or the device setup is not user
friendly or feasible at all. But there has been no such study upon the validation of the forces
measured by the force sensors installed on the instrument using a test rig.

7
Introduction
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization or Simply IASTM is a new range of tool which
enables clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue
dysfunction. The technique itself is said to be a modern evolution from Traditional Chinese
Medicine called Gua Sha[1].However Gua Sha was not used to treat Musculoskeletal
conditions but was traditionally applied along meridiens to move the bad chi out through the
skin. IASTM is a procedure that is rapidly growing in popularity due to its effectiveness and
efficiency while remaining non-invasive, with its own indications and limitations.
IASTM is performed with ergonomically designed instruments that detect and treat fascial
restrictions, encourage rapid localization and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue
fibrosis, chronic inflammation, or degeneration. As in any Manual therapy treatment,
supplementation with exercises and additional modalities e.g. joint mobilization designed to
correct biomechanical deficiencies by addressing musculoskeletal strength and muscle
imbalances throughout the entire kinetic chain should be used in conjunction with IASTM.
Though doctors of chiropractic (DCs) have always used their hands to increase blood flow and
break up restrictions in injured soft tissue, fingers alone can’t detect restrictions at deeper
levels or treat the full range of restrictions. Because of this, several companies have now
developed handheld tools to perform instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization
IASTM has two main functions: to break up abnormal densities in tissue, such as scar tissue,
and to reinitiate first-stage healing in the body. “When a body is injured, it sends blood,
specifically the healing substances found in white blood cells, to the wounded area to begin
laying down new collagen tissues and repairing the injury—building scar tissue.
The introduction of controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue structure causes the
stimulation of a local inflammatory response. Microtrauma initiates reabsorption of
inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue and facilitates a cascade of healing activities
resulting in remodeling of affected soft tissue structures. Adhesions within the soft tissue
which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain or other
mechanisms, are broken down allowing full functional restoration to occur.

8
Limitations of IASTM
Though IASTM is a very effective treatment modality, there are certainly situations in which
you wouldn’t want to use it. You wouldn’t want to use instruments on a patient with a skin
infection or an open wound or abone fracture. It is recommended to avoid recent suture sites
and not using IASTM on patients with uncontrolled hypertension, kidney dysfunction,
hematoma or osteomyelitis.
Adopting a more delicate approach when using instruments on patients who are taking
anticoagulant medications and on patients with varicose veins, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis
or acute inflammatory conditions. Additionally, IASTM may not be the first-choice modality
for a very recent injury. In this case, the body’s already working on its first-stage healing.
The Graston Technique
The Graston Technique is a form of manual therapy known as soft-tissue instrument-assisted
mobilization. It is one of a number of manual therapy approaches that uses instruments with a
specialized form of massage/scraping the skin gently. The therapy isdesigned to help the practitioner
identify areas of restriction and attempt to break up scar tissue. The Graston Technique is often
practiced by chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and
some licensed massage therapists and athletic trainers.
Graston Technique Goals
The general goals of the therapy are to reduce the patient's pain and increase function through a
combination of:
 Breaking down the scar tissue and fascia restrictions that are usually associated with some
form of trauma to the soft tissue (e.g., a strained muscle or a pulled ligament, tendon, or
fascia).
 Reducing restrictions by stretching connective tissue in anattempt to rearrange the structure
of the soft tissue being treated (e.g., muscle, fascia, tendons, and ligaments).
 Promoting abetter healing environment for the injured soft tissue.

9
There also appears to be a neurologic benefit to treating patients with the Graston Technique
Instruments. This response is similar to that involved with other manual therapies. The literature
suggests that when a patient is given manual or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
therapy, certain nerve fibers are activated. Additionally, the body's position sense organs, such as
mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors, seem to respond to these forms of treatment.
GT-3 (Tongue Depressor)
Figure 3
Graston is the leading technique when it comes to IASTM. It has developed a set of six
stainless steel instruments of various shapes and sizes. You would want an instrument with a
beveled edge to go deeper into the tissue, and you would use an instrument with a flat edge
if you were working more on the surface.
So you've read all about GT4 and how it’s typically the first instrument, well GT3 is usually the
next in line. As you can see, it looks very different to GT4- it works completely differently too!
The actual treatment surface is much smaller, and this is GT3's secret- it allows a very precise
manipulation of the soft tissue. Think of GT3 as like a pencil; precise, good feedback of subtle
lesions, whereas GT4 would be more like a paint roller.

10
GT3 is typically an go to instrument for trigger points or taught bands, uses the single beveled
edge to precisely work through the lesion in attempt to restore the original morphology a to
the tissue.
Some other common uses for GT3:
 Knee ligaments
 Carpal tunnel syndrome
 TMJ dysfunction
 Tennis/golfers elbow
 Post-surgical scarring
 Biceps tendinopathy
As with all GT instruments, GT3 can sometimes be a little uncomfortable when used on really
angry (tender) lesions but any discomfort is only for a short period of time (30 seconds to a
minute) whereas using the traditional thumb or knuckle method takes 5-10 minutes with
considerably more discomfort and bruising. This is why Graston Technique is so effective-
quicker treatment time, less pain and most importantly better results!

11
Test Rig
Figure 4
In order to evaluate the force sensing IASTMdevice, a test rig is designed as shown in figure4.
Testrig is a box type structure with top and bottom supported by the four vertical beams. The
Instrument is held at the base of the test rig and the base slides along the length of the rig by
rotating the handle which in-turn through nut and bolt mechanism moves/slides the base to
the desired position. The Instrument can be rotated at the desired angle by notch attached
to the base of the rig.
A simple belt pulley mechanism is used to apply a load on the Instrument (sensor) via tension
in the belt. The tension in the belt is caused by hooks attached at both ends of the belt and
the hooks contain the known amount of weight. The given weights produce a net downward
force which is calculated by vector analysis. The horizontal component of the tension forces
cancel each other while the vertical components add up and gives the resulting force that acts
on the Instrument and then read by the sensors in the instrument. The pulleys slide along the
vertical beams to achieve force equilibrium at all given angles. The pulleys can slide along the
beams independent of each other to give more fidelity.

12
Components of Test Rig
 Fixture
Figure 5
The fixture provides mechanical structure to the test rig. The four columns/beam support the
upper and the lower plate to make the test rig a rigid structure. The top and the bottom plate
are aluminum plates with 15" x 12" x 0.5". The four columns are made of steel.
The sliders marked as red support the two pulleys and slidein the provided slots on the beam.
The sliders are used to adjust the height of the pulleys.
 Belt and Pulleys
Figure 6
The belt and pulley mechanism play the role of transferring the force from the given weights
to the instrument via tension produced in the pulley. The weights are hung on the pulley
through hooks which fit into the reinforced rings made on the lower part of the belt. The
pulley is of 2" diameter and the thickness of the belt is 0.094" and is made of PVC.

13
 Base
Figure 7
The Instrument is secured tightly in the clamp (marked as yellow in the figure) and the clamp
rest on the base of the test rig. The base has internal teeth so that it can slidealong the length
of the fixture via nut and bolt mechanism. The clamp can be rotated at desired angles to
measure forces at different angles. The dimension of the base are 4" x 2"x 1" and is made of
aluminum.
 Hook
Figure 8
The hook carries the weight and is hooked on to the lower half of the belt into the
reinforcement rings. The weight is transferred to the belt via hooks.

14
Instrument (GT3)
Figure 9
This is the instrument which with its new design has the force sensor installed in it. It will be
secured to the text rig via clamp on the base. The material used for research purpose is
plastic.

15
Mathematical Formulationand vector analysis
The test rig is laid down in mathematical terms as geometric equalities. The instrument has
to be inclined at an angle from the center for force measurement and validation. Using the
belt pulley mechanism with the instrument inclined at some angle from the center would give
incorrect value of the forces.
Figure: 10
In order to overcome this problem and to achieve force equilibrium at all angles, the angle of
contact (β) between the belt and the instrument is made equal. This is done by fixing the
height of the pulley on one side with known height from the base. The other pulley is then
slided to the new height to bring the equilibrium of forces at that angle.
Exercising the geometrical formulations and exploiting them to get the relationships between
the angles of rotation of the instrument from the central axis.
This whole mathematical proof is done so that we have the equilibrium of forces being
maintained at all angles and positions of the Instrument to get the net force acting on it. The
proof is as follows:

16
Starting with ∆ GJK
𝐶𝑜𝑠 (𝛼) =
JK
𝐺𝐾
⇒ 𝐺𝐾 = 𝐽𝐾 ∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 (𝛼)
Now in ∆ AEG
𝐶𝑜𝑠 (𝛼) =
AE
𝐴𝐺
& 𝐴𝐺 = 𝐴𝐾 − 𝐺𝐾
⇒ 𝐴𝐸 = 𝐴𝐾 ∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑠(𝛼) − 𝐽𝐾
In ∆ AMK
𝑆𝑖𝑛 (𝛼) =
MK
𝐴𝐾
𝑀𝐾 = 𝐴𝐾 ∗ 𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝛼) & 𝑌 = 𝑄𝐾 − 𝑀𝐾
⇒ 𝑌 = 𝑄𝐾 − 𝐴𝐾 ∗ 𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝛼)
Now in ∆ AES
𝑇𝑎𝑛 (𝜃) =
AE
𝑆𝐸
& 𝑆𝐸 = 𝑌 = 𝑄𝐾 − 𝐴𝐾 ∗ 𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝛼)
⇒ (𝜃) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
(
𝐴𝐸
𝑆𝐸
)
From the geometrical formulations
𝛽 = ((900
− 𝜃) + 𝜶)
Now in ∆ ABC
Angle ACB = (𝜃 − 2𝜶) & 𝑇𝑎𝑛 (𝜃 − 2𝜶) =
AB
𝐵𝐶
⇒ 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐶 ∗ tan(𝜃 − 2𝜶)
𝐴𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵 + r
𝐻2 = 𝐴𝑀 − AD

17
Figure: 11
Vector analysis of the Tension forces:
The horizontal components acts opposite to each other and gets cancelled as seen in the
above figure while the vertical components of the tension forces adds up and is the
resultant force acting on the instrument which is equal to:
𝐹 = 𝑇 ∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑇 ∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝛽
⇒ 𝐹 = 2 ∗ 𝑇 ∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝛽
Calculating the value of β from the above geometrical expressions and plugging in the
equation to give the value of force that is exerted on the instrument. This calculated force
value should be the output value from the sensor placed in the instrument.

18
Results:
 Using MATLAB the iteration were ran and the resultant force and the corresponding
change in the H2 to maintain equilibrium of forces were tabulated:
L=15 inches, dimensions are in inches, N is the displacement of base from the center axis.
𝜶 =0 𝜶 =5 𝜶 =10 𝜶 =15 𝜶 =20 𝜶 =25
H1=3 H2(N=0)
H2(N=1)
H2(N=2)
H2(N=3)
H2(N=4)
H2(N=5)
3.0000
4.0673
5.1740
6.3742
7.7355
9.3574
3.8235
4.7584
5.7647
6.8963
8.2276
9.8771
4.4737
5.2678
6.1568
7.1920
8.4504
10.0612
5.0000
5.6472
6.4064
7.3247
8.4780
9.9995
5.4348
5.9303
6.5502
7.3361
8.3598
9.7526
5.8000
6.1402
6.6135
7.2548
8.1297
9.3625
H1=4 H2(N=0)
H2(N=1)
H2(N=2)
H2(N=3)
H2(N=4)
H2(N=5)
4.0000
5.1042
6.3032
7.6692
9.3094
11.4095
4.5882
5.5665
6.6619
7.9462
9.5329
11.6254
5.0526
5.8925
6.8642
8.0361
9.5215
11.5286
5.4286
6.1217
6.9559
7.9944
9.3453
11.2131
5.7391
6.2795
6.9666
7.8564
9.0490
10.7383
6.0000
6.3833
6.9162
7.6460
8.6627
10.1441
H1=5 H2(N=0)
H2(N=1)
H2(N=2)
H2(N=3)
H2(N=4)
H2(N=5)
5.0000
6.1919
7.5520
9.1923
11.3088
14.3028
5.3529
6.4094
7.6419
9.1565
11.1421
13.9851
5.6316
6.5412
7.6295
8.9942
10.8116
13.4437
5.8571
6.6126
7.5460
8.7450
10.3706
12.7547
6.0435
6.6397
7.4109
8.4336
9.8515
11.9633
6.2000
6.6334
7.2373
8.0762
9.2754
11.0979
H1=6 H2(N=0)
H2(N=1)
H2(N=2)
H2(N=3)
H2(N=4)
H2(N=5)
6.0000
7.3343
8.9402
11.0096
13.9333
18.6877
6.1176
7.2894
8.7167
10.5672
13.1754
17.3450
6.2105
7.2153
8.4603
10.0909
12.3955
16.0479
6.2857
7.1208
8.1812
9.5922
11.6015
14.7785
6.3478
7.0114
7.8860
9.0777
10.7978
13.5270
6.4000
6.8909
7.5788
8.5517
9.9873
12.2880
H1=7 H2(N=0)
H2(N=1)
H2(N=2)
H2(N=3)
H2(N=4)
H2(N=5)
7.0000
8.5356
10.4927
13.2154
17.5304
26.1184
6.8824
8.2089
9.9010
12.2322
15.8260
22.5122
6.7895
7.9162
9.3652
11.3588
14.3867
19.7950
6.7143
7.6472
8.8669
10.5558
13.1068
17.5522
6.6522
7.3953
8.3951
9.8008
11.9303
15.5922
6.6000
7.1561
7.9426
9.0800
10.8246
13.8145
H1=8 H2(N=0)
H2(N=1)
H2(N=2)
H2(N=3)
H2(N=4)
H2(N=5)
8.0000
9.8004
12.2403
15.9492
22.7639
41.4576
7.6471
9.1707
11.2122
14.2275
19.4252
31.4810
7.3684
8.6457
10.3547
12.8411
16.9652
25.6487
7.1429
8.1928
9.6094
11.6616
14.9898
21.5877
6.9565
7.7918
8.9420
10.6186
13.3100
18.4464
6.8000
7.4293
8.3309
9.6704
11.8237
15.8436

19
Sample Calculations
Let’s assume we put the weights equal to 30lbf and the equivalent Tension force produce in
the belt is given by
T=m*g= 30lbf
Now the Length of the Pulley is taken as 15 inches.
Height of the fixed pulley is taken = 4 inches.
The base is shifted from the center by 3 inches.
The instrument is inclined at an angle of 15 degrees = 0.26 radian from the center.
Now, from the above mathematical equations,
( 𝜃) = 1.4660
𝛽 = ((900
− 𝜃) + 𝜶)
𝛽 = 0.364 Radians
The force experienced by the instrument is given by
⇒ 𝐹 = 2 ∗ 𝑇 ∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝛽
⇒ 𝐹 = 2 ∗ 30 ∗ .934
⇒ 𝐹 = 56.04𝑙𝑏𝑓

20
Graphical Plots:
The data from the above table is taken and plotted in 3 dimensions to get better
understanding of the movement of the Instrument and the changed height of the second
pulley.
Figure 12
The above figure plots the angle of inclination (α) of the Instrument with the central axis and
the corresponding change in the height. The values are monitored when the base of the test
rig is slided every 1 inch (n) away from the inclination of the instrument.
Figure 13
The above figure plots the angle of inclination (α) of the Instrument with the central axis and
angle between the belt and tip of the instrument. The values are monitored when the base
of the test rig is slided every 1 inch (n) away from the inclination of the instrument.

21
Figure 14
The above figure is a surface mesh of the values obtained over the whole range of motion of
the instrument. The maximum angle of inclination of the instrument with the central axis is
taken as 35 degrees.
From the figure it is evident that for the whole range of motion as mentioned above the
maximum height that the second pulley willbe changed is 15 inches. This is in fact accordance
with our test rig dimensions.

22
Procedure for using the test rig:
1. Make sure the test rig is at a levelled base and not uneven.
2. Bring the Instrument and place it on the base of the rig and make sure it is tightly held
by the screw onto the clamp.
3. Look at the angle divider placed in front of the base to see what angle is the clamp
that holds the instrument is at.
4. Bring it to the desired angle at which the force measurement is to be done.
5. Check the reading at which the base is on by looking at the scale placed on the bottom
plate of the rig.
6. If the angle at which the force is measured is above 20 degree (.349 radians), slide the
base by turning the handle and try to bring the tip of the instrument in the center of
the test rig.
7. Read the position at which the slide has been brought on the scale and note it.
8. Now carefully slide the pulleys and bring them to a spot where the belt touches the
tip of the instrument.
9. Adjust the height H1 of the pulley so that you see the belt covering the tip of the
instrument.
10. Put the key and lock the height so that the pulley does not slides anymore in either
direction.
11. Note the height H1 on the scale that is present on the vertical beam of the rig.
12. Now use the look-up sheet and locate your noted values and find the corresponding
H2 value of the second pulley.
13. Now use the second scale that is present on the other vertical beam to bring the H2
to the value mention in the look-up sheet.
14. Use the second key to secure the pulley at H2.
15. Make sure everything is tight and does not move/slides.
16. Now place the weights onto the hooks attached to the belt.
17. Place equal amount of weight on both sides of the pulley.
18. Read the look-up table for the force value associatedwith the weight that is hung onto
the belt.

23
19. The force reading in the look-up table should be equal to the reading displayed by the
sensor.
20. Repeat Steps 3-18 for different angle of inclination of the Instrument.

24
FEA Analysis
For the static analysis, the maximum allowable loading conditions that could be seen for the
device were applied to assure that the stress levels and deflections were within acceptable
ranges for the application
Figure 15
The above figure shows the equivalent elastic strain that is produced in the fixture. A Static
load of 50lbf is applied on both the sliders of the test rig. The elastic strain is concentrated at
the edges of the base plate, but is in the acceptable range and therefor will not cause failure.
Figure 16
The equivalent stress is also concentrated on the edges of the base plate and is in the
accepted range and will not cause failure. The Maximum Stress is around 1000 psi and is
below the yield strength of Aluminum.

25
Figure 17
The above stress analysis shows the deformation in the fixture due to the applied load of
50lbf. The maximum deformation can be seen in the sliders of the fixture which is evident
from the fact that sliders hold the belt and pulley mechanism through which the load is
applied to the instrument. The maximum deflection is 0.0004 inches which is almost equal to
zero, but if considered can be reduced by increasing the diameter of the slider.

26
Forces Transferred to the Instrument
Figure 18
The static force analysis of the instrument are done to check whether the tension produced
in the belt is equal to the applied force on the Instrument. It can be seen that the tension
produced is in fact equal to the applied load on the instrument.
Figure 19
Magnified version of the above result so that the distribution of the forces can be monitored
closely.

27
Figure 20
The above figure shows the distribution of the tension throughout the length of the belt. It
can call upon the weak point of the belt material which can be reinforced to reduce risk of
failure. Also the loads on the pulley can be analyzed to change the dimensions of the pulley
so that it can sustain the maximum loading conditions.

28
Bill of Material
Component Dimension Vendor Price Qua
ntity
Link for Vendor
3003 - H14
Aluminum
Plate
12" x 18"
x 1/4"
Plate
Speedym
etals
.com
$33.76
/plate
2 http://www.speedymetals.com/pc-97-
8358-14-3003-h14-aluminum-plate.aspx
6061-T6
Aluminum,
Extruded
Pipe
1.900" OD
{A} x
1.610" ID
{B} x
.145"
Speedym
etals
.com
$0.63/
inch
8370-1-12-sch-40-pipe-6061-t6-
aluminum-extruded.aspx
Steel rods:
3/4" cold
finished
1018
3/4" Speedym
etals
.com
$0.32/
inch
8227-18r75.aspx
Steel Rods:
1/2" cold
finished
1018
1/2" Speedym
etals
.com
$0.15/
inch
8227-18r5.aspx
Conveying
PVC
2-ply,
Thickness
=0.094"
Thomasn
et.com
Awaite
d
1 http://www.thomasnet.com/productsear
ch/productline/120500-1312-3001990-
/dunham-rubber-belting-corp/general-
conveying-pvc/
Pulley 2"
diameter
IHS
Engineeri
ng 360
Awaite
d
2 http://www.globalspec.com/specsearch/
partspecs?partId={DE1FA627-0854-4D70-
A19C-
E95CF5BDF321}&comp=211&vid=96896&
sqid=13446679

29
Conclusion
The Proposed Test rig has been designed and analyzed through simulation. The test rig is
designed with all mechanical components with no electrical equipment’s to play role in force
validation. The vector components of tension forces have been balanced by changing the
height of the pulley. The change in height values are tabulated and should be used for force
measurement at different angle of orientation of the instrument. The deformed geometry,
stress distribution, and modal frequencies, were analyzed with ANSYS workbench and found
to be well within acceptable ranges which demonstrate that the structure of the test rig is
stable and can withstand the maximum loads without failure.
The Test rig will work successfully with given range of angles and might behave differently at
higher angles due to geometrical constraints. The next step would be building and fabricating
the test rig so that it can be used later in the force quantification and validation of IASTM.

30
Acknowledgements
This work was done under ME 597 Individual project as a part of fulfillment for the MSME
degree. Special thanks to Dr. Sohel Anwar for his constant supervision and for mentoring the
project. Thanks to Dr. Loghmani and Dr. Stanley Chien for their critic views and thoughts on
the working of this project. Also, thanks to Ahmed, graduate student, IUPUI that helped me
in making this project a successful one.

31
References
1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gua_sha
2. ↑ Fowler, S, Wilson, J, and Sevier, TL, IfckLRnnovative approach forfckLRthe treatment
offckLRcumulative trauma disorders,fckLRWorkfckLR. 2000; 15:9-14
3. ↑ Sevier, TL, Helfst, RH, Stover, SA, andfckLRWilson, JK. Clinical trends on
tendinitis.fckLRWorkfckLR. 2000; 14:123-226
4. ↑ Sevier, TL, Gehlsen, JK, Wilson, JK,fckLRStover SA, and Helfst RH.
TraditionalfckLRphysical therapy versus augmented softfckLRtissue mobilization (ASTM) in
thefckLRtreatment of lateral epicondylitis.fckLRMed Sci Sports ExercfckLR. 1995; 27:S52
5. Material about IASTM reviewed from
http://www.physiopedia.com/Instrument_Assisted_Soft_Tissue_Mobilization.
https://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=5272
6. An Engineering Approach for Quantitative Analysisof the Lengthwise Strokes inMassage Therapies byHansong
Zeng, Department ofBiomedical Engineering, TimothyA. Butterfield, Division ofAthletic Training, Department of
RehabilitationSciences.

32
Appendix A
This appendix contains the MATLAB code to calculate the height and angle required to bring
the force equilibrium for the tension forces to act on the instrument.
clear all
clc
alpha =(0:5:35).*pi/180;
A=zeros(64,8);
JK=3; %% This is the height of the first pulley and is kept fixed%%
T=15; %%This the force that is applied by the weights%%
d=(1:8);
for i=1:7
a=6.5;
L=15; %%This is the distance between the two pulleys%%
for n = 1:8
Y=((L/2+(n-1))-(a.*sin(alpha)));
AE=(a*cos(alpha)-JK);
theta= atan(AE./Y);
beta=(pi/2-theta)+alpha;
BC=(L-Y);
AB=BC.*tan((theta-2*alpha));
AD=(AB+1);
DF=((AE-AD)+1);
RU=JK+DF;
flse(n,:)=RU;
flse1(n,:)=beta;
end
A((i*n+1:(i+1)*n),:)=flse(1:n,:);
C((i*n+1:(i+1)*n),:)=flse1(1:n,:);
JK=JK+1;
end
B=A(9:end,:);
D=C(9:end,:);
createfigure(alpha,d,B(1:8,1:8))
grid on
xlabel('alpha')
zlabel('change in 2nd pulley height(H2)')
ylabel('n')
title('alpha vs n vs H2')
createfigure(alpha,d,D(1:8,1:8))
grid on
title('alpha vs n vs beta')
xlabel('alpha')
zlabel('beta')
ylabel('n')
meshgrid(d);
meshgrid(alpha);
figure;
surf(alpha,d,B(1:8,1:8))
title('alpha vs n vs beta')
xlabel('alpha')
zlabel('beta')
ylabel('n')
% surf(alpha,d,B(1:8,1:8))
force=2*T.*cos(D);

33
Appendix B
Thisis a functionthatwas developedtoobtainthe graphsandsurface mapsthat wouldhelpvalidate
our force analysisgraphically.
function createfigure(X1, Y1, ZMatrix1)
%CREATEFIGURE(X1, Y1, ZMATRIX1)
% X1: vector of x data
% Y1: vector of y data
% ZMATRIX1: matrix of z data
% Create figure
figure1 = figure;
% Create axes
axes1 = axes('Parent',figure1,...
'Position',[0.0854973821989531 0.112155172413793 0.775
0.810258620689655]);
view(axes1,[120.5 26]);
grid(axes1,'on');
hold(axes1,'all');
% Create multiple lines using matrix input to plot3
plot31 = plot3(X1,Y1,ZMatrix1,'Parent',axes1);
set(plot31(1),'Color',[0 1 1],'DisplayName','n=7');
set(plot31(2),'Color',[0.87058824300766 0.490196079015732 0],...
'DisplayName','n=6');
set(plot31(5),'Color',[0.749019622802734 0 0.749019622802734],...
'DisplayName','n=3');
set(plot31(7),'DisplayName','n=1','Color',[0 0 0]);
set(plot31(8),'DisplayName','n=0');
% Create title
title('alpha vs n vs beta');
% Create xlabel
xlabel('alpha');
% Create zlabel
zlabel('beta');
% Create ylabel
ylabel('n');
% Create legend
legend1 = legend(axes1,'show');
set(legend1,...
'Position',[0.853859851825394 0.639236956800407 0.117801047120419
0.331896551724138]);

Force Quantification of IASTM device

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Force Quantification of IASTM device

Similar to Force Quantification of IASTM device (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Force Quantification of IASTM device