Thesis
Design, development and evaluation of wearable nanovibration delivery devices for use in osteoporosis intervention
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2026
- Thesis identifier
- T17682
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201772175
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone mineral density is lost making bones susceptible to fracture and reducing quality of life. In light of this, potential therapies to reduce the loss of bone mineral density or increase the creation of new bone cells are of interest. This doctoral thesis summarises an investigation into the feasibility of using nanoscale mechanical vibration, also known as nanokicking/nanovibration, as an avenue to stimulate the growth of bone cells in vivo via the design and implementation of a wearable device applied to the surface of an osteoporotic region. Nanovibration is the application of low frequency vibration (1000 Hz) to a target area which has been shown to successfully stimulate the growth of bone cells in vitro using a displacement amplitude measured in the nanometre scale (2.5 - 100 nm). The wearable nanovibration delivery device for the preliminary clinical evaluation was effective in that it was able to be worn for up to 2 hours and record the level of nanovibration transmission from the vibration source to the measurement device at the opposite side of the bone. This initial study demonstrated its viability in concept from an engineering perspective and noted potential improvements for future studies in this area. The device was successfully scaled down for use on rats and used in a live animal trial to both apply and measure controlled nanovibration from the source to the opposite side of a target area of bone. The results from the animal trial showed no evidence that bone mineral density loss was affected at the target region. Both studies indicated that nanovibration was being successfully transmitted to the other side of the bone. This was supported by FEA modelling as well as characterisation experiments in bone sample media granting confidence to these findings and quantifying the transmission of vibration through the bone region in terms of vibration amplitude as well as the reduction in vibration amplitude through the macroscopic bone regions applicable to the target region. The wearable devices designed were used for their intended purpose to deliver and measure nanovibration but had no measurable positive effect on bone mineral density during the animal trials. The feedback from the studies provides information regarding future investigations into transferring the capacity to promote bone cell stimulation via nanovibration in-vitro to an in-vivo technique with potential applicability, and provide feedback on ergonomics, design features, and use limitations.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Reid, Stuart
- Resource Type
- DOI
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