We implemented a new paradigm for muscle modeling that represents
muscles as three-dimensional volumes, incorporates the complex three-dimensional
arrangements of muscle fibers, specifies nonlinear constitutive properties
of muscle, and accounts for the mechanics of muscle-bone and muscle-muscle
contact. We have shown that these new models are useful for characterizing
muscles with complex architecture and geometries. The new models provide
vast improvements over previous models for characterizing muscles
that bend around and interact with bones and other muscles, muscles
that have broad attachments, and muscles that have complex arrangements
of muscle fascicles.
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Comparison
of the standard muscle modeling techniques (left) and the new muscle
modeling paradigm (right). The standard techniques simplify muscles
to a series of line segments (red lines connected by blue points),
rely on geometric principles to determine how muscle paths move
with joint rotation, and assume that all fibers within muscle behave
the same. The new modeling paradigm (right) represents the full
three-dimensional arrangement of fibers and represents the internal
mechanics of muscle. Therefore, these new models allow for
a more accurate representation of muscle geometry as well as more
detailed study of the behavior and mechanics of fibers within a
muscle. |
Blemker
and Delp. "Three-dimensional representation of complex muscle architectures
and geometries." Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2005.
(Download PDF)
Blemker and Delp. "Rectus femoris
and vastus intermedius fiber excursions predicted by three-dimensional
muscle models." Journal of Biomechanics, 2005. (Download
PDF)
Blemker, Pinsky, and Delp. "A
3D model of muscle reveals the causes of nonuniform strains in the biceps
brachii." Journal of Biomechanics, 2005. (Download
PDF) |
