Modelling the vascular remodelling phenomena that result from exposure of the hand-arm system to vibration

The physiopathological mechanisms induced by exposure of the hand-arm system to vibration are still ill-known, despite the steps taken by the European States to protect workers. That lack of knowledge lies behind the lack of representativeness of International Standard ISO 5349-1 that sets the principles for evaluating exposure to vibration. That therefore affects design of hand-guided machines.
This study proposes to contribute to improving understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms involved in “vibration syndrome” by attempting to adapt the techniques for modelling how soft tissues, and more particularly the peripheral arterial system, behave when subjected to vibration-type stresses. These techniques have demonstrated their usefulness in the fields of hypertension and atherosclerosis by totally transforming the understanding that we used to have of those diseases.
This fundamental-research study is being conducted through a PhD thesis in continuum mechanics. It will also be conducted in close interaction with medical research teams specialised in the field of functional vascular exploration. In the long term, the progress anticipated from this work will contribute to improving the representativeness of Standard ISO 5349-1.
Planned dissemination: A computer model predicting growth/remodelling of the arteries will be made available to teams from the teaching hospital sector. This tool will make it possible both to validate the behaviour models by comparing the simulations with long-term monitoring observations, and also to improve early diagnosis of vibration syndrome. The results of the study will be submitted to scientific journals. In the longer term, knowledge transfer will be steered towards standardisation.