Musculoskeletal Model of the Upper Limb Based on the Visible Human Male Dataset

Abstract

A mathematical model of the human upper limb was developed based on high-resolution medical images of the muscles and bones obtained from the Visible Human Male (VHM) project. Three-dimensional surfaces of the muscles and bones were reconstructed from Computed Tomography (CT) images and Color Cryosection images obtained from the VHM cadaver. Thirteen degrees of freedom were used to describe the orientations of seven bones in the model: clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpal bones, and hand. All of the major articulations from the shoulder girdle down to the wrist were included in the model. The model was actuated by 42 muscle bundles, which represented the actions of 26 muscle groups in the upper limb. The paths of the muscles were modeled using a new approach called the Obstacle-set Method [33]. The calculated paths of the muscles were verified by comparing the muscle moment arms computed in the model with the results of anatomical studies reported in the literature. In-vivo measurements of maximum isometric muscle torques developed at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were also used to estimate the architectural properties of each musculotendon actuator in the model. The entire musculoskeletal model can be reconstructed using the data given in this paper, along with information presented in a companion paper which defines the kinematic structure of the model [26].

Subject-specific musculoskeletal parameters of wrist flexors and extensors estimated by an EMG-driven musculoskeletal model

“…With regard to the results, the values in Table II show that the average estimates of , and are consistent with physiological values as reported in [9,16], with for extensors the only overestimated parameter. This might be explained by considering that the total torque exerted during extension experiments was ascribed to ECRL only.…”

“…4A shows a shallower trend with regard to the flexor moment variability when compared to data from [16][17][18][19]. In the works from [16][17][18] flexor moment peaks were mainly located in the flexed region, while in Garner and Pandy [9] the highest peak was located at 0°. In the present study the highest values were found in extended positions as also reported in [19] and in [22].…”

“…This was estimated from linear envelope processing of measured raw EMG signals as described below. Muscle and tendon were considered to be connected in series, while the pennation angle was disregarded for this joint [9]. Normalisations were applied according to the scaling approach adopted in [8].…”

Physical activity when young provides lifelong benefits to cortical bone size and strength in men

“…A subject-specific musculoskeletal model was used to estimate strains during a fastball pitch performed by an MLB player (24). Muscle volumes within the player were obtained from 3D MR images (Siemens).…”

Comparison of model-predicted and measured moment arms for the rotator cuff muscles

“…It should be noted that the Dickerson model is an implementation of the model developed by Hogfors and co-workers (Hogfors et al, 1987(Hogfors et al, ,1991(Hogfors et al, ,1995. For the other included models, moment arm data were extracted from published or dissertation data from the Favre model (Favre et al, 2005), Garner model (Garner and Pandy, 2001), and Newcastle model (Charlton, 2003); the availability of these models is not known.…”