A novel musculoskeletal joint modelling for orthopaedic applications

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Docter of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The objective of the work carried out in this thesis was to develop analytical and computational tools to model and investigate musculoskeletal human joints. It was recognised that the FEA was used by many researchers in modelling human musculoskeletal motion, loading and stresses. However the continuum mechanics played only a minor role in determining the articular joint motion, and its value was questionable. This is firstly due to the computational cost and secondly due to its impracticality for this application. On the other hand, there isn’t any suitable software for precise articular joint motion analysis to deal with the local joint stresses or non standard joints. The main requirement in orthopaedics field is to develop a modeller software (and its associated theories) to model anatomic joint as it is, without any simplification with respect to joint surface morphology and material properties of surrounding tissues. So that the proposed modeller can be used for evaluating and diagnosing different joint abnormalities but furthermore form the basis for performing implant insertion and analysis of the artificial joints. The work which is presented in this thesis is a new frame work and has been developed for human anatomic joint analysis which describes the joint in terms of its surface geometry and surrounding musculoskeletal tissues. In achieving such a framework several contributions were made to the 6DOF linear and nonlinear joint modelling, the mathematical definition of joint stiffness, tissue path finding and wrapping and the contact with collision analysis. In 6DOF linear joint modelling, the contribution is the development of joint stiffness and damping matrices. This modelling approach is suitable for the linear range of tissue stiffness and damping properties. This is the first of its kind and it gives a firm analytical basis for investigating joints with surrounding tissue and the cartilage. The 6DOF nonlinear joint modelling is a new scheme which is described for modelling the motion of multi bodies joined by non-linear stiffness and contact elements. The proposed method requires no matrix assembly for the stiffness and damping elements or mass elements. The novelty in the nonlinear modelling, relates to the overall algorithmic approach and handling local non-linearity by procedural means. The mathematical definition of joint stiffness is also a new proposal which is based on the mathematical definition of stiffness between two bodies. Based on the joint stiffness matrix properties, number of joint stiffness invariants was obtained analytically such as the centre of stiffness, the principal translational stiffnesses, and the principal rotational stiffnesses. In corresponding to these principal stiffnesses, their principal axes have been also obtained. Altogether, a joint is assessed by six principal axes and six principal stiffnesses and its centre of stiffness. These formulations are new and show that a joint can be described in terms of inherent stiffness properties. It is expected that these will be better in characterising a joint in comparison to laxity based characterisation. The development of tissue path finding and wrapping algorithms are also introduced as new approaches. The musculoskeletal tissue wrapping involves calculating the shortest distance between two points on a meshed surface. A new heuristic algorithm was proposed. The heuristic is based on minimising the accumulative divergence from the straight line between two points on the surface and the direction of travel on the surface (i.e. bone). In contact and collision based development, the novel algorithm has been proposed that detects possible colliding points on the motion trajectory by redefining the distance as a two dimensional measure along the velocity approach vector and perpendicular to this vector. The perpendicular distance determines if there are potentially colliding points, and the distance along the velocity determines how close they are. The closest pair among the potentially colliding points gives the “time to collision”. The algorithm can eliminate the “fly pass” situation where very close points may not collide because of the direction of their relative velocity. All these developed algorithms and modelling theories, have been encompassed in the developed prototype software in order to simulate the anatomic joint articulations through modelling formulations developed. The software platform provides a capability for analysing joints as 6DOF joints based on anatomic joint surfaces. The software is highly interactive and driven by well structured database, designed to be highly flexible for the future developments. Particularly, two case studies are carried out in this thesis in order to generate results relating to all the proposed elements of the study. The results obtained from the case studies show good agreement with previously published results or model based results obtained from Lifemod software, whenever comparison was possible. In some cases the comparison was not possible because there were no equivalent results; the results were supported by other indicators. The modelling based results were also supported by experiments performed in the Brunel Orthopaedic Research and Learning Centre

A Dynamic-Image Computational Approach for Modeling the Spine

We propose a dynamic-image driven computational approach for the modeling and simulation of the spine. We use static and dynamic medical images, computational methods and anatomic knowledge to accurately model and measure the subject-specific dynamic behavior of structures in the spine. The resulting models have applications in biomechanical simulations, computer animation, and orthopaedic surgery. We first develop a semi-automated motion reconstruction method for measuring 3D motion with sub-millimeter accuracy. The automation of the method enables the study of subject-specific spine kinematics over large groups of population. The accuracy of the method enables the modeling and analysis of small anatomical features that are difficult to capture in-vivo using existing imaging techniques. We then develop a set of computational tools to model spine soft-tissue structures. We build dynamic-motion driven geometric models that combine the complementary strengths of the accurate but static models used in orthopaedics and the dynamic but low level-of-detail multibody simulations used in humanoid computer animation. Leveraging dynamic images and reconstructed motion, this approach allows the modeling and analysis anatomical features that are too small to be imaged in-vivo and of their dynamic behavior. Finally, we generate predictive, subject-specific models of healthy and symptomatic spines. The predictive models help to identify, understand and validate hypotheses about spine disorders

A novel musculoskeletal joint modelling for orthopaedic applications

The objective of the work carried out in this thesis was to develop analytical and computational tools to model and investigate musculoskeletal human joints. It was recognised that the FEA was used by many researchers in modelling human musculoskeletal motion, loading and stresses. However the continuum mechanics played only a minor role in determining the articular joint motion, and its value was questionable. This is firstly due to the computational cost and secondly due to its impracticality for this application. On the other hand, there isn’t any suitable software for precise articular joint motion analysis to deal with the local joint stresses or non standard joints. The main requirement in orthopaedics field is to develop a modeller software (and its associated theories) to model anatomic joint as it is, without any simplification with respect to joint surface morphology and material properties of surrounding tissues. So that the proposed modeller can be used for evaluating and diagnosing different joint abnormalities but furthermore form the basis for performing implant insertion and analysis of the artificial joints. The work which is presented in this thesis is a new frame work and has been developed for human anatomic joint analysis which describes the joint in terms of its surface geometry and surrounding musculoskeletal tissues. In achieving such a framework several contributions were made to the 6DOF linear and nonlinear joint modelling, the mathematical definition of joint stiffness, tissue path finding and wrapping and the contact with collision analysis. In 6DOF linear joint modelling, the contribution is the development of joint stiffness and damping matrices. This modelling approach is suitable for the linear range of tissue stiffness and damping properties. This is the first of its kind and it gives a firm analytical basis for investigating joints with surrounding tissue and the cartilage. The 6DOF nonlinear joint modelling is a new scheme which is described for modelling the motion of multi bodies joined by non-linear stiffness and contact elements. The proposed method requires no matrix assembly for the stiffness and damping elements or mass elements. The novelty in the nonlinear modelling, relates to the overall algorithmic approach and handling local non-linearity by procedural means. The mathematical definition of joint stiffness is also a new proposal which is based on the mathematical definition of stiffness between two bodies. Based on the joint stiffness matrix properties, number of joint stiffness invariants was obtained analytically such as the centre of stiffness, the principal translational stiffnesses, and the principal rotational stiffnesses. In corresponding to these principal stiffnesses, their principal axes have been also obtained. Altogether, a joint is assessed by six principal axes and six principal stiffnesses and its centre of stiffness. These formulations are new and show that a joint can be described in terms of inherent stiffness properties. It is expected that these will be better in characterising a joint in comparison to laxity based characterisation. The development of tissue path finding and wrapping algorithms are also introduced as new approaches. The musculoskeletal tissue wrapping involves calculating the shortest distance between two points on a meshed surface. A new heuristic algorithm was proposed. The heuristic is based on minimising the accumulative divergence from the straight line between two points on the surface and the direction of travel on the surface (i.e. bone). In contact and collision based development, the novel algorithm has been proposed that detects possible colliding points on the motion trajectory by redefining the distance as a two dimensional measure along the velocity approach vector and perpendicular to this vector. The perpendicular distance determines if there are potentially colliding points, and the distance along the velocity determines how close they are. The closest pair among the potentially colliding points gives the “time to collision”. The algorithm can eliminate the “fly pass” situation where very close points may not collide because of the direction of their relative velocity. All these developed algorithms and modelling theories, have been encompassed in the developed prototype software in order to simulate the anatomic joint articulations through modelling formulations developed. The software platform provides a capability for analysing joints as 6DOF joints based on anatomic joint surfaces. The software is highly interactive and driven by well structured database, designed to be highly flexible for the future developments. Particularly, two case studies are carried out in this thesis in order to generate results relating to all the proposed elements of the study. The results obtained from the case studies show good agreement with previously published results or model based results obtained from Lifemod software, whenever comparison was possible. In some cases the comparison was not possible because there were no equivalent results; the results were supported by other indicators. The modelling based results were also supported by experiments performed in the Brunel Orthopaedic Research and Learning Centre.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Book of Abstracts 15th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering and 3rd Conference on Imaging and Visualization

In this edition, the two events will run together as a single conference, highlighting the strong connection with the Taylor & Francis journals: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (John Middleton and Christopher Jacobs, Eds.) and Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging and Visualization (JoãoManuel R.S. Tavares, Ed.). The conference has become a major international meeting on computational biomechanics, imaging andvisualization. In this edition, the main program includes 212 presentations. In addition, sixteen renowned researchers will give plenary keynotes, addressing current challenges in computational biomechanics and biomedical imaging. In Lisbon, for the first time, a session dedicated to award the winner of the Best Paper in CMBBE Journal will take place. We believe that CMBBE2018 will have a strong impact on the development of computational biomechanics and biomedical imaging and visualization, identifying emerging areas of research and promoting the collaboration and networking between participants. This impact is evidenced through the well-known research groups, commercial companies and scientific organizations, who continue to support and sponsor the CMBBE meeting series. In fact, the conference is enriched with five workshops on specific scientific topics and commercial software.info:eu-repo/semantics/draf

UGA Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab Manual, 3rd Edition

This lab manual was created for Anatomy and Physiology I at the University of Georgia under a Textbook Transformation Grant and revised through a Scaling Up OER Pilot Grant. The manual contains the following labs: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology Cells Histology – Epithelial & Connective Tissues Histology – Muscle & Nervous Tissues The Integumentary System Introduction to the Skeletal System Introduction Joints The Lower Limb – Bones The Lower Limb – Muscles The Lower Limb – Joints The Lower Limb – Nerves The Lower Limb – Movement The Upper Limb – Bones The Upper Limb – Muscles The Upper Limb – Joints The Upper Limb – Nerves The Upper Limb – Movement Muscle Physiology Axial Skeleton Axial Musculature Intervertebral Discs Central Nervous System – The Spinal Cord Central Nervous System – The Brain Motor Control The Senses – Vision The Senses - Hearing Accessible files with optical character recognition (OCR) and auto-tagging provided by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation.https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/biology-textbooks/1013/thumbnail.jp

Three Dimensional Nonlinear Statistical Modeling Framework for Morphological Analysis

This dissertation describes a novel three-dimensional (3D) morphometric analysis framework for building statistical shape models and identifying shape differences between populations. This research generalizes the use of anatomical atlases on more complex anatomy as in case of irregular, flat bones, and bones with deformity and irregular bone growth. The foundations for this framework are: 1) Anatomical atlases which allow the creation of homologues anatomical models across populations; 2) Statistical representation for output models in a compact form to capture both local and global shape variation across populations; 3) Shape Analysis using automated 3D landmarking and surface matching. The proposed framework has various applications in clinical, forensic and physical anthropology fields. Extensive research has been published in peer-reviewed image processing, forensic anthropology, physical anthropology, biomedical engineering, and clinical orthopedics conferences and journals. The forthcoming discussion of existing methods for morphometric analysis, including manual and semi-automatic methods, addresses the need for automation of morphometric analysis and statistical atlases. Explanations of these existing methods for the construction of statistical shape models, including benefits and limitations of each method, provide evidence of the necessity for such a novel algorithm. A novel approach was taken to achieve accurate point correspondence in case of irregular and deformed anatomy. This was achieved using a scale space approach to detect prominent scale invariant features. These features were then matched and registered using a novel multi-scale method, utilizing both coordinate data as well as shape descriptors, followed by an overall surface deformation using a new constrained free-form deformation. Applications of output statistical atlases are discussed, including forensic applications for the skull sexing, as well as physical anthropology applications, such as asymmetry in clavicles. Clinical applications in pelvis reconstruction and studying of lumbar kinematics and studying thickness of bone and soft tissue are also discussed

Recent trends, technical concepts and components of computer-assisted orthopedic surgery systems: A comprehensive review

Computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) systems have become one of the most important and challenging types of system in clinical orthopedics, as they enable precise treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, employing modern clinical navigation systems and surgical tools. This paper brings a comprehensive review of recent trends and possibilities of CAOS systems. There are three types of the surgical planning systems, including: systems based on the volumetric images (computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound images), further systems utilize either 2D or 3D fluoroscopic images, and the last one utilizes the kinetic information about the joints and morphological information about the target bones. This complex review is focused on three fundamental aspects of CAOS systems: their essential components, types of CAOS systems, and mechanical tools used in CAOS systems. In this review, we also outline the possibilities for using ultrasound computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (UCAOS) systems as an alternative to conventionally used CAOS systems.Web of Science1923art. no. 519

CT Scanning

Since its introduction in 1972, X-ray computed tomography (CT) has evolved into an essential diagnostic imaging tool for a continually increasing variety of clinical applications. The goal of this book was not simply to summarize currently available CT imaging techniques but also to provide clinical perspectives, advances in hybrid technologies, new applications other than medicine and an outlook on future developments. Major experts in this growing field contributed to this book, which is geared to radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, engineers, and clinical and basic researchers. We believe that CT scanning is an effective and essential tools in treatment planning, basic understanding of physiology, and and tackling the ever-increasing challenge of diagnosis in our society

Discogenic low back pain : lumbar spondylodesis revisited

Neurosurgeon deals with chronic low back pain patients almost daily. Most of these patients still have complaints of low back pain despite many different previous therapies. Surgical treatment is only to be considered in few cases of chronic low back pain sufferers. From this large group of chronic low back pain patients we have tried to select a small group of patients who might benefit fiom spondylodesis. This thesis is about the selection and treatment of this patient group. Their assumed source of pain and the results of surgical treatment will also be discussed. ... Zie: Summary