Multiscale musculoskeletal modelling, data–model fusion and electromyography-informed modelling

Abstract

This paper proposes methods and technologies that advance the state of the art for modelling the musculoskeletal system across the spatial and temporal scales; and storing these using efficient ontologies and tools. We present population-based modelling as an efficient method to rapidly generate individual morphology from only a few measurements and to learn from the ever-increasing supply of imaging data available. We present multiscale methods for continuum muscle and bone models; and efficient mechanostatistical methods, both continuum and particle-based, to bridge the scales. Finally, we examine both the importance that muscles play in bone remodelling stimuli and the latest muscle force prediction methods that use electromyography-assisted modelling techniques to compute musculoskeletal forces that best reflect the underlying neuromuscular activity. Our proposal is that, in order to have a clinically relevant virtual physiological human, (i) bone and muscle mechanics must be considered together; (ii) models should be trained on population data to permit rapid generation and use underlying principal modes that describe both muscle patterns and morphology; and (iii) these tools need to be available in an open-source repository so that the scientific community may use, personalize and contribute to the database of models.

Toward modeling locomotion using electromyography‐informed 3D models: application to cerebral palsy

“…These workflows combine data routinely collected in gait laboratories (motion capture marker coordinates, anthropometric measurements) and partial segmented surfaces (e.g., from the hip or knee) to generate 3D surface meshes of the pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, and fibula. The meshes can be used as rigid‐body shells for joint contact simulations to study the development of osteoarthritis in CP, or volumetrically meshed for finite element or multiscale models of the bone tissue . The use of statistical models in the model generation process ensures anatomically feasible geometries and clinically feasible runtimes of minutes.…”

Model order reduction of dynamic skeletal muscle models

“…[1]). State of the art multi-body models include skeletal muscles as one-dimensional objects, which of course do not properly represent reality.…”

Kinetics of Lower Limb Prosthesis: Automated Detection of Vertical Loading Rate

“…This term can be defined as the holistic state of physical well-being of the residuum's distinct neuromusculoskeletal system, encapsulating resected skin, nerves, muscles and bone [1][2][3]. The intrinsic determinants of residuum health, mainly including the length of residuum and muscle reassignment, are established during surgical amputation [4,5]. Most common extrinsic determinants of residuum health could be substantially influenced by rehabilitation specialists and suppliers of components (e.g., manufacturers, prosthetists) who facilitate control of the prosthetic joint movements and fitting of components that, altogether, ultimately pertain to the level of activity [6].…”