Sara Kallin defended her licentiate thesis on soft tissue deformation

Sara Kallin, University Lecturer Prosthetics and Orthotics, of the Shool of Health and Welfare in Jönköping has defended her licentiate dissertation on soft tissue deformation at the School of Engineering in Jönköping.

- It was a happy moment for me, says Sara Kallin.

Sara Kallin's research is about how soft tissues behave when they are exposed to load and is related to the appearance of pressure injuries. It is a cross-disciplinary problem and her research includes both technical and medical perspectives, which is unusual and poses many challenges.

- Simulation models of human leg tissues need to be more detailed. The methods I have shown can collect mechanical and health data related to pressure injuries, and investigate deformation in deeper tissue layers. We hope in the future to provide more answers of the injury mechanisms, says Sara Kallin.

First in Sweden

Sara Kallin is the first prosthetist-orthotist in Sweden who is a PhD student in technology. The collaboration between the School of Engineering and the School of Health and Welfare as well as participating companies in medical technology is also the first of its kind in Sweden. The research is part of the PEOPLE project, under the SPARK umbrella.

Sara Kallin's thesis is entitled: "Deformation of Human Soft Tissues - Experimental and Numerical Aspects". Opponent on site during the licenciate seminar was Associate Professor Dan Karlsson, Hotswap Norden, and the dissertation was approved by Associate Professor Ilia Belov, School of Engineering, Jönköping University.

"Emotional"

There were about 60 spectators in Gjuterisalen at the School of Engineering, which in other words was well-stocked. There, among others, were representatives from the various companies in the project within industry and clinical operations. Several colleagues to Sara Kallin from the School of Engineering and the School of Health and Wellfare as well as PhD students and bachelor students were present.

- It is emotional that so many people have come here so it is good that I have my dad's handkerchief with me, as some interpreted the tissue, says Sara Kallin.

"Felt very good"

Sara Kallin has enjoyed working on her thesis.

- It has been difficult to understand, but it felt very good during the seminar and the subsequent discussion, says Sara Kallin.

Read Sara Kallin's licentiate thesis here

For more information, contact Sara Kallin: sara.kallin@ju.se, +46 (0)36-10 12 74