Graphic musculoskeletal model for biomechanical analyses and animation in sport sciences and medicine / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

The ability to combine physiology and engineering analyses with computer graphics has opened the door to the possibility of creating the "Virtual Human" reality.This paper presents a broad foundation for a full-featured biomechanical simulator for the human musculoskeletal system physiology.This simulation technology unites the expertise in biomechanical analysis and graphic modeling to investigate joint and connective tissue mechanics at the structural level and to visualize the results in both static and animated forms together with the model.Adaptable anatomical models including prosthetic implants,fracture fixation devices,rehab and exercise equipment and a robust computational platform for static,kinematic,kinetic,and stress analyses under varying boundary and loading conditions are incorporated in the utility software system and the database,the VIMS (Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System).In the database,long bone geometry,dimensions,connective tissue material properties and a library of skeletal joint system functional activities and loading conditions are also available and they can easily be modified,updated and expanded.Application software is available for the end-users to perform biomechanical analyses interactively.Examples using the graphic models and the computational algorithms in a virtual laboratory environment for1) biomechanical analysis of skeletal kinematics;2) shoulder joint force and contact pressure distribution in overhead activities;3) hip joint contact pressure distribution in activities of daily living;4) ankle joint contact stress and ligament loading during gait;5) ankle injury and therapeutic management simulation;6) knee continued passive motion and computer-aided rehabilitation;are used to demonstrate the utility of the unique database and the biomechanical simulation technology.This integrated system will impact on sport sciences and medicine through basic research,athlete screening/training,injury prevention and rehabilitation to benefit both the elite and recreational athletes.