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Updated: May 10, 2026
Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
Published on: September 17, 2019
[Vertebral metrics: application of a new mechanical instrument to evaluate the spinal column]
Cláudia Quaresma1, Inês Dias, Mário Forjaz Secca
1Cefitec, Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte de Caparica, Portugal.
Objective:
To present the results of the first application of the new technology - Vertebral Metrics - the analysis of the 3D position of the vertex of each spinous process in pregnant women.
Material And Methods:
The Vertebral Metrics was applied to women without associated pathology in four stages of pregnancy (12, 20, 32, 37 weeks gestation). We applied univariate linear models.
Results:
We found that the differences that occur during pregnancy are more significant at the position y (anteroposterior). It was found also that there is a positive correlation between the biomechanical position of the vertex of each of the vertebrae with the homologous position of rest.
Discussion/Conclusion:
Through Vertebral Metrics innovative results could be obtained in analyzing biomechanics of the spine. A device that has different applications can be easily adopted in areas such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, pediatrics and rehabilitation. It should also be noted that this instrument is not exhausted in the sample of this research because it can be further applied to the general population.
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