Bioengineering

Editorial

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4 pages, 203 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis

by Christina Zong-Hao Ma, Zhengrong Li and Chen He

Bioengineering 2023, 10(6), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10060677 - 2 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3610

Abstract

Motion patterns in humans have been closely associated with neurological/musculoskeletal/behavioral/psychological health issues and competitive sports performance [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

14 pages, 26196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stiff Extracellular Matrix Promotes Invasive Behaviors of Trophoblast Cells

by Jialing Cao, Hangyu Li, Hongyan Tang, Xuenan Gu, Yan Wang, Dongshi Guan, Jing Du and Yubo Fan

Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030384 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

The effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness on embryonic trophoblast cells invasion during mammalian embryo implantation remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ECM stiffness on various aspects of human trophoblast cell behaviors during cell–ECM interactions. The mechanical microenvironment [...] Read more.

The effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness on embryonic trophoblast cells invasion during mammalian embryo implantation remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ECM stiffness on various aspects of human trophoblast cell behaviors during cell–ECM interactions. The mechanical microenvironment of the uterus was simulated by fabricating polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogels with different levels of stiffness. The human choriocarcinoma (JAR) cell lineage was used as the trophoblast model. We found that the spreading area of JAR cells, the formation of focal adhesions, and the polymerization of the F-actin cytoskeleton were all facilitated with increased ECM stiffness. Significantly, JAR cells also exhibited durotactic behavior on ECM with a gradient stiffness. Meanwhile, stiffness of the ECM affects the invasion of multicellular JAR spheroids. These results demonstrated that human trophoblast cells are mechanically sensitive, while the mechanical properties of the uterine microenvironment could play an important role in the implantation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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11 pages, 991 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leveraging Multivariable Linear Regression Analysis to Identify Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency Using a Composite Index of the Knee Flexion and Muscle Force

by Haoran Li, Hongshi Huang, Shuang Ren and Qiguo Rong

Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030284 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1848

Abstract

Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency (ACLD) tend to have altered lower extremity kinematics and dynamics. Clinical diagnosis of ACLD requires more objective and convenient evaluation criteria. Twenty-five patients with ACLD before ACL reconstruction and nine healthy volunteers were recruited. Five experimental [...] Read more.

Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency (ACLD) tend to have altered lower extremity kinematics and dynamics. Clinical diagnosis of ACLD requires more objective and convenient evaluation criteria. Twenty-five patients with ACLD before ACL reconstruction and nine healthy volunteers were recruited. Five experimental jogging data sets of each participant were collected and calculated using a musculoskeletal model. The resulting knee flexion and muscle force data were analyzed using a t-test for characteristic points, which were the time points in the gait cycle when the most significant difference between the two groups was observed. The data of the characteristic points were processed with principal component analysis to generate a composite index for multivariable linear regression. The accuracy rate of the regression model in diagnosing patients with ACLD was 81.4%. This study demonstrates that the multivariable linear regression model and composite index can be used to diagnose patients with ACLD. The composite index and characteristic points can be clinically objective and can be used to extract effective information quickly and conveniently. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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11 pages, 1479 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Electromyography–Force Relation and Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity Affected by Spinal Cord Injury

by Le Li, Huijing Hu, Bo Yao, Chengjun Huang, Zhiyuan Lu, Cliff S. Klein and Ping Zhou

Bioengineering 2023, 10(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020217 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2215

Abstract

A surface electromyography (EMG) analysis was performed in this study to examine central neural and peripheral muscle changes after a spinal cord injury (SCI). A linear electrode array was used to record surface EMG signals from the biceps brachii (BB) in 15 SCI [...] Read more.

A surface electromyography (EMG) analysis was performed in this study to examine central neural and peripheral muscle changes after a spinal cord injury (SCI). A linear electrode array was used to record surface EMG signals from the biceps brachii (BB) in 15 SCI subjects and 14 matched healthy control subjects as they performed elbow flexor isometric contractions from 10% to 80% maximum voluntary contraction. Muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) and BB EMG–force relation were examined. MFCV was found to be significantly slower in the SCI group than the control group, evident at all force levels. The BB EMG–force relation was well fit by quadratic functions in both groups. All healthy control EMG–force relations were best fit with positive quadratic coefficients. In contrast, the EMG–force relation in eight SCI subjects was best fit with negative quadratic coefficients, suggesting impaired EMG modulation at high forces. The alterations in MFCV and EMG–force relation after SCI suggest complex neuromuscular changes after SCI, including alterations in central neural drive and muscle properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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16 pages, 2162 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gait Event Prediction Using Surface Electromyography in Parkinsonian Patients

by Stefan Haufe, Ioannis U. Isaias, Franziska Pellegrini and Chiara Palmisano

Bioengineering 2023, 10(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020212 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2871

Abstract

Gait disturbances are common manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with unmet therapeutic needs. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are capable of monitoring gait, but they lack neurophysiological information that may be crucial for studying gait disturbances in these patients. Here, we present a machine [...] Read more.

Gait disturbances are common manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with unmet therapeutic needs. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are capable of monitoring gait, but they lack neurophysiological information that may be crucial for studying gait disturbances in these patients. Here, we present a machine learning approach to approximate IMU angular velocity profiles and subsequently gait events using electromyographic (EMG) channels during overground walking in patients with PD. We recorded six parkinsonian patients while they walked for at least three minutes. Patient-agnostic regression models were trained on temporally embedded EMG time series of different combinations of up to five leg muscles bilaterally (i.e., tibialis anterior, soleus, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, and vastus lateralis). Gait events could be detected with high temporal precision (median displacement of <50 ms), low numbers of missed events (<2%), and next to no false-positive event detections (<0.1%). Swing and stance phases could thus be determined with high fidelity (median F1-score of ~0.9). Interestingly, the best performance was obtained using as few as two EMG probes placed on the left and right vastus lateralis. Our results demonstrate the practical utility of the proposed EMG-based system for gait event prediction, which allows the simultaneous acquisition of an electromyographic signal to be performed. This gait analysis approach has the potential to make additional measurement devices such as IMUs and force plates less essential, thereby reducing financial and preparation overheads and discomfort factors in gait studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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16 pages, 7309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simultaneous Estimation of the Vertical Stiffness in the Knee and Hip for Healthy Human Subjects during Walking

by Huan Zhao, Junyi Cao and Wei-Hsin Liao

Bioengineering 2023, 10(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020187 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1810

Abstract

The stiffness of lower limb joints is a critical characteristic of walking. To investigate the potential of establishing a simple and universal model to describe the characteristics related to vertical vibration during human walking, vertical stiffness is introduced at the knee and hip. [...] Read more.

The stiffness of lower limb joints is a critical characteristic of walking. To investigate the potential of establishing a simple and universal model to describe the characteristics related to vertical vibration during human walking, vertical stiffness is introduced at the knee and hip. A multi-mass-spring model of the human body is established in the vertical direction. In the Fourier form, results of experiments on 14 healthy adults show that the vertical displacements of joints are a function of the leg length and walking cadence, while the ground reaction force is a function of the body weight and walking cadence. The obtained universal equations of vertical displacement and ground reaction force are employed as the input parameters to the proposed multi-mass-spring model. Thus, the vertical stiffness in the knee and hip can then be estimated simultaneously by the subject’s weight, leg length, and walking cadence. The variation of vertical stiffness shows different time-varying trends in different gait phases across the entire gait cycle. Finally, the proposed model for vertical stiffness estimation is validated by the vertical oscillation of the pelvis. The average error across three gait cycles for all subjects is 20.48%, with a standard deviation of 5.44%. These results display that the vertical stiffness of knee and hip across the entire gait cycle can be directly estimated by individual parameters that are easy to measure. It provides a different view of human walking analysis and may be applied in future pathological gait recognition, bipedal robots, and lower limb exoskeletons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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13 pages, 3979 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Continuous Shoulder Activity Tracking after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Proximal Humerus Fractures

by Michiel Herteleer, Armin Runer, Magdalena Remppis, Jonas Brouwers, Friedemann Schneider, Vasiliki C. Panagiotopoulou, Bernd Grimm, Clemens Hengg, Rohit Arora, Stefaan Nijs and Peter Varga

Bioengineering 2023, 10(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020128 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2042

Abstract

Postoperative shoulder activity after proximal humerus fracture treatment could influence the outcomes of osteosynthesis and may depend on the rehabilitation protocol. This multi-centric prospective study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of continuous shoulder activity monitoring over the first six postoperative weeks, investigating potential [...] Read more.

Postoperative shoulder activity after proximal humerus fracture treatment could influence the outcomes of osteosynthesis and may depend on the rehabilitation protocol. This multi-centric prospective study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of continuous shoulder activity monitoring over the first six postoperative weeks, investigating potential differences between two different rehabilitation protocols. Shoulder activity was assessed with pairs of accelerometer-based trackers during the first six postoperative weeks in thirteen elderly patients having a complex proximal humerus fracture treated with a locking plate. Shoulder angles and elevation events were evaluated over time and compared between the two centers utilizing different standard rehabilitation protocols. The overall mean shoulder angle ranged from 11° to 23°, and the number of daily elevation events was between 547 and 5756. Average angles showed longitudinal change <5° over 31 ± 10 days. The number of events increased by 300% on average. Results of the two clinics exhibited no characteristic differences for shoulder angle, but the number of events increased only for the site utilizing immediate mobilization. In addition to considerable inter-patient variation, not the mean shoulder angle but the number of elevations events increased markedly over time. Differences between the two sites in number of daily events may be associated with the different rehabilitation protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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17 pages, 4342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automated Student Classroom Behaviors’ Perception and Identification Using Motion Sensors

by Hongmin Wang, Chi Gao, Hong Fu, Christina Zong-Hao Ma, Quan Wang, Ziyu He and Maojun Li

Bioengineering 2023, 10(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020127 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3223

Abstract

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the exploration and application in the field of intelligent education has become a research hotspot of increasing concern. In the actual classroom scenarios, students’ classroom behavior is an important factor that directly affects their learning [...] Read more.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the exploration and application in the field of intelligent education has become a research hotspot of increasing concern. In the actual classroom scenarios, students’ classroom behavior is an important factor that directly affects their learning performance. Specifically, students with poor self-management abilities, particularly specific developmental disorders, may face educational and academic difficulties owing to physical or psychological factors. Therefore, the intelligent perception and identification of school-aged children’s classroom behaviors are extremely valuable and significant. The traditional method for identifying students’ classroom behavior relies on statistical surveys conducted by teachers, which incurs problems such as being time-consuming, labor-intensive, privacy-violating, and an inaccurate manual intervention. To address the above-mentioned issues, we constructed a motion sensor-based intelligent system to realize the perception and identification of classroom behavior in the current study. For the acquired sensor signal, we proposed a Voting-Based Dynamic Time Warping algorithm (VB-DTW) in which a voting mechanism is used to compare the similarities between adjacent clips and extract valid action segments. Subsequent experiments have verified that effective signal segments can help improve the accuracy of behavior identification. Furthermore, upon combining with the classroom motion data acquisition system, through the powerful feature extraction ability of the deep learning algorithms, the effectiveness and feasibility are verified from the perspectives of the dimensional signal characteristics and time series separately so as to realize the accurate, non-invasive and intelligent children’s behavior detection. To verify the feasibility of the proposed method, a self-constructed dataset (SCB-13) was collected. Thirteen participants were invited to perform 14 common class behaviors, wearing motion sensors whose data were recorded by a program. In SCB-13, the proposed method achieved 100% identification accuracy. Based on the proposed algorithms, it is possible to provide immediate feedback on students’ classroom performance and help them improve their learning performance while providing an essential reference basis and data support for constructing an intelligent digital education platform. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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21 pages, 2437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reference Values for 3D Spinal Posture Based on Videorasterstereographic Analyses of Healthy Adults

by Janine Huthwelker, Jürgen Konradi, Claudia Wolf, Ruben Westphal, Irene Schmidtmann, Philipp Drees and Ulrich Betz

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120809 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2007

Abstract

Visual examinations are commonly used to analyze spinal posture. Even though they are simple and fast, their interrater reliability is poor. Suitable alternatives should be objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable. Videorasterstereography (VRS) is a corresponding method that is increasingly becoming established. However, there [...] Read more.

Visual examinations are commonly used to analyze spinal posture. Even though they are simple and fast, their interrater reliability is poor. Suitable alternatives should be objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable. Videorasterstereography (VRS) is a corresponding method that is increasingly becoming established. However, there is a lack of reference data based on adequate numbers of participants and structured subgroup analyses according to sex and age. We used VRS to capture the spinal posture of 201 healthy participants (aged 18–70 years) divided into three age cohorts. Three-dimensional reference data are presented for the global spine parameters and for every vertebral body individually (C7-L4) (here called the specific spine parameters). The vertebral column was found to be systematically asymmetric in the transverse and the coronal planes. Graphical presentations of the vertebral body posture revealed systematic differences between the subgroups; however, large standard deviations meant that these differences were not significant. In contrast, several global parameters (e.g., thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis) indicated differences between the analyzed subgroups. The findings confirm the importance of presenting reference data not only according to sex but also according to age in order to map physiological posture changes over the life span. The question also arises as to whether therapeutic approximations to an almost symmetrical spine are biomechanically desirable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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13 pages, 2663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Walking Speed Classification from Marker-Free Video Images in Two-Dimension Using Optimum Data and a Deep Learning Method

by Tasriva Sikandar, Sam Matiur Rahman, Dilshad Islam, Md. Asraf Ali, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, Kamarul H. Ghazali, Omar Altwijri, Mohammed Almijalli and Nizam U. Ahamed

Bioengineering 2022, 9(11), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9110715 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2964

Abstract

Walking speed is considered a reliable assessment tool for any movement-related functional activities of an individual (i.e., patients and healthy controls) by caregivers and clinicians. Traditional video surveillance gait monitoring in clinics and aged care homes may employ modern artificial intelligence techniques to [...] Read more.

Walking speed is considered a reliable assessment tool for any movement-related functional activities of an individual (i.e., patients and healthy controls) by caregivers and clinicians. Traditional video surveillance gait monitoring in clinics and aged care homes may employ modern artificial intelligence techniques to utilize walking speed as a screening indicator of various physical outcomes or accidents in individuals. Specifically, ratio-based body measurements of walking individuals are extracted from marker-free and two-dimensional video images to create a walk pattern suitable for walking speed classification using deep learning based artificial intelligence techniques. However, the development of successful and highly predictive deep learning architecture depends on the optimal use of extracted data because redundant data may overburden the deep learning architecture and hinder the classification performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal combination of ratio-based body measurements needed for presenting potential information to define and predict a walk pattern in terms of speed with high classification accuracy using a deep learning-based walking speed classification model. To this end, the performance of different combinations of five ratio-based body measurements was evaluated through a correlation analysis and a deep learning-based walking speed classification test. The results show that a combination of three ratio-based body measurements can potentially define and predict a walk pattern in terms of speed with classification accuracies greater than 92% using a bidirectional long short-term memory deep learning method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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23 pages, 8206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hand Exoskeleton Design and Human–Machine Interaction Strategies for Rehabilitation

by Kang Xia, Xianglei Chen, Xuedong Chang, Chongshuai Liu, Liwei Guo, Xiaobin Xu, Fangrui Lv, Yimin Wang, Han Sun and Jianfang Zhou

Bioengineering 2022, 9(11), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9110682 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3987

Abstract

Stroke and related complications such as hemiplegia and disability create huge burdens for human society in the 21st century, which leads to a great need for rehabilitation and daily life assistance. To address this issue, continuous efforts are devoted in human–machine interaction (HMI) [...] Read more.

Stroke and related complications such as hemiplegia and disability create huge burdens for human society in the 21st century, which leads to a great need for rehabilitation and daily life assistance. To address this issue, continuous efforts are devoted in human–machine interaction (HMI) technology, which aims to capture and recognize users’ intentions and fulfil their needs via physical response. Based on the physiological structure of the human hand, a dimension-adjustable linkage-driven hand exoskeleton with 10 active degrees of freedom (DoFs) and 3 passive DoFs is proposed in this study, which grants high-level synergy with the human hand. Considering the weight of the adopted linkage design, the hand exoskeleton can be mounted on the existing up-limb exoskeleton system, which greatly diminishes the burden for users. Three rehabilitation/daily life assistance modes are developed (namely, robot-in-charge, therapist-in-charge, and patient-in-charge modes) to meet specific personal needs. To realize HMI, a thin-film force sensor matrix and Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are installed in both the hand exoskeleton and the corresponding controller. Outstanding sensor–machine synergy is confirmed by trigger rate evaluation, Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), and a confusion matrix. To recognize user intention, a genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to search for the optimal hyperparameters of a 1D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and the average intention-recognition accuracy for the eight actions/gestures examined reaches 97.1% (based on K-fold cross-validation). The hand exoskeleton system provides the possibility for people with limited exercise ability to conduct self-rehabilitation and complex daily activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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15 pages, 673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gait Initiation Impairment in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Freezing of Gait

by Chiara Palmisano, Laura Beccaria, Stefan Haufe, Jens Volkmann, Gianni Pezzoli and Ioannis U. Isaias

Bioengineering 2022, 9(11), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9110639 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3120

Abstract

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a sudden episodic inability to produce effective stepping despite the intention to walk. It typically occurs during gait initiation (GI) or modulation and may lead to falls. We studied the anticipatory postural adjustments (imbalance, unloading, and stepping phase) [...] Read more.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a sudden episodic inability to produce effective stepping despite the intention to walk. It typically occurs during gait initiation (GI) or modulation and may lead to falls. We studied the anticipatory postural adjustments (imbalance, unloading, and stepping phase) at GI in 23 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and FOG (PDF), 20 patients with PD and no previous history of FOG (PDNF), and 23 healthy controls (HCs). Patients performed the task when off dopaminergic medications. The center of pressure (CoP) displacement and velocity during imbalance showed significant impairment in both PDNF and PDF, more prominent in the latter patients. Several measurements were specifically impaired in PDF patients, especially the CoP displacement along the anteroposterior axis during unloading. The pattern of segmental center of mass (SCoM) movements did not show differences between groups. The standing postural profile preceding GI did not correlate with outcome measurements. We have shown impaired motor programming at GI in Parkinsonian patients. The more prominent deterioration of unloading in PDF patients might suggest impaired processing and integration of somatosensory information subserving GI. The unaltered temporal movement sequencing of SCoM might indicate some compensatory cerebellar mechanisms triggering time-locked models of body mechanics in PD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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9 pages, 540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Key Biomechanical Parameters According to the Expertise Level in Runners at Different Running Speeds

by Cagla Fadillioglu, Felix Möhler, Marcel Reuter and Thorsten Stein

Bioengineering 2022, 9(11), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9110616 - 26 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2833

Abstract

Running has become increasingly popular worldwide. Among runners, there exists a wide range of expertise levels. Investigating the differences between runners at two extreme levels, that is novices and experts, is crucial to understand the changes that occur as a result of multiple [...] Read more.

Running has become increasingly popular worldwide. Among runners, there exists a wide range of expertise levels. Investigating the differences between runners at two extreme levels, that is novices and experts, is crucial to understand the changes that occur as a result of multiple years of training. Vertical oscillation of center of mass (CoM), stride frequency normalized to the leg length, and duty factor, which describes the step time relative to the flight time, are key biomechanical parameters that have been shown to be closely related to the running economy and are used to characterize the running style. The variability characteristics of these parameters may reveal valuable information concerning the control of human locomotion. However, how the expertise level and running speed affect the variability of these key biomechanical parameters has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of expertise level (novice vs. expert) and running speed (10 km/h vs. 15 km/h) on these parameters and their variability. It was hypothesized that expert runners would have lower vertical oscillation of CoM, normalized stride frequency, and duty factor and show less variability in these parameters. The parameters’ variability was operationalized by the coefficient of variation. The mean values and variability of these key biomechanical parameters according to expertise level and running speed were compared with rmANOVAs. The results showed that the experts had a lower duty factor and less variable vertical oscillation of CoM and normalized stride frequency, independently of the running speed. At a higher running speed, the variability of vertical oscillation of CoM was higher, whereas that of normalized stride frequency and duty factor did not change significantly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the effects of expertise level and running speed on the variability of key biomechanical parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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15 pages, 1884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Lower Extremity Joint Moment and Power Estimated by Markerless and Marker-Based Systems during Treadmill Running

by Hui Tang, Jiahao Pan, Barry Munkasy, Kim Duffy and Li Li

Bioengineering 2022, 9(10), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100574 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4278

Abstract

Background: Markerless (ML) motion capture systems have recently become available for biomechanics applications. Evidence has indicated the potential feasibility of using an ML system to analyze lower extremity kinematics. However, no research has examined ML systems’ estimation of the lower extremity joint moments [...] Read more.

Background: Markerless (ML) motion capture systems have recently become available for biomechanics applications. Evidence has indicated the potential feasibility of using an ML system to analyze lower extremity kinematics. However, no research has examined ML systems’ estimation of the lower extremity joint moments and powers. This study aimed to compare lower extremity joint moments and powers estimated by marker-based (MB) and ML motion capture systems. Methods: Sixteen volunteers ran on a treadmill for 120 s at 3.58 m/s. The kinematic data were simultaneously recorded by 8 infrared cameras and 8 high-resolution video cameras. The force data were recorded via an instrumented treadmill. Results: Greater peak magnitudes for hip extension and flexion moments, knee flexion moment, and ankle plantarflexion moment, along with their joint powers, were observed in the ML system compared to an MB system (p < 0.0001). For example, greater hip extension (MB: 1.42 ± 0.29 vs. ML: 2.27 ± 0.45) and knee flexion (MB: −0.74 vs. ML: −1.17 nm/kg) moments were observed in the late swing phase. Additionally, the ML system’s estimations resulted in significantly smaller peak magnitudes for knee extension moment, along with the knee production power (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These observations indicate that inconsistent estimates of joint center position and segment center of mass between the two systems may cause differences in the lower extremity joint moments and powers. However, with the progression of pose estimation in the markerless system, future applications can be promising. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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11 pages, 3698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Restoration of the Joint Line Configuration Reproduces Native Mid-Flexion Biomechanics after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Matched-Pair Cadaveric Study

by Dai-Soon Kwak, Yong Deok Kim, Nicole Cho, Yong In, Man Soo Kim, Dohyung Lim and In Jun Koh

Bioengineering 2022, 9(10), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100564 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2221

Abstract

Background: Recent evidence supports that restoration of the pre-arthritic condition via total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with improved post-TKA performance and patient satisfaction. However, whether the restored pre-arthritic joint line simulates the native mid-flexion biomechanics remains unclear. Objective: We performed a matched-pair [...] Read more.

Background: Recent evidence supports that restoration of the pre-arthritic condition via total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with improved post-TKA performance and patient satisfaction. However, whether the restored pre-arthritic joint line simulates the native mid-flexion biomechanics remains unclear. Objective: We performed a matched-pair cadaveric study to explore whether restoration of the joint line via kinematically aligned (KA) TKA reproduced native knee biomechanics more accurately than the altered joint line associated with mechanically aligned (MA) TKA. Methods: Sixteen fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (eight pairs) were affixed onto a customized knee-squatting simulator for measurement of femoral rollback and medial collateral ligament (MCL) strain during mid-flexion. One knee from each cadaver was randomly designated to the KA TKA group (with the joint line restored to the pre-arthritic condition) and the other to the MA TKA group (with the joint line perpendicular to the mechanical axis). Optical markers were attached to all knees and rollback was analyzed using motion capture cameras. A video extensometer measured real-time variations in MCL strain. The kinematics and MCL strain prior to and following TKA were measured for all specimens. Results: KA TKA was better for restoring the knee kinematics to the native condition than MA TKA. The mid-flexion femoral rollback and axial rotation after KA TKA were consistently comparable to those of the native knee. Meanwhile, those of MA TKA were similar only at ≤40° of flexion. Furthermore, KA TKA better restored the mid-flexion MCL strain to that of the native knee than MA TKA. Over the entire mid-flexion range, the MCL strain of KA TKA and native knees were similar, while the strains of MA TKA knees were more than twice those of native knees at >20° of flexion. Conclusions: The restored joint line after KA TKA effectively reproduced the native mid-flexion rollback and MCL strain, whereas the altered joint line after MA TKA did not. Our findings may explain why patients who undergo KA TKA experience superior outcomes and more natural knee sensations during daily activities than those treated via MA TKA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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14 pages, 2434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Spinal Reconstructions for Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures to Prevent Proximal Junctional Complications: A Finite Element Study

by Chia-En Wong, Hsuan-Teh Hu, Yu-Heng Huang and Kuo-Yuan Huang

Bioengineering 2022, 9(10), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100491 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2150

Abstract

The management strategies of thoracolumbar (TL) burst fractures include posterior, anterior, and combined approaches. However, the rigid constructs pose a risk of proximal junctional failure. In this study, we aim to systemically evaluate the biomechanical performance of different TL reconstruction constructs using finite [...] Read more.

The management strategies of thoracolumbar (TL) burst fractures include posterior, anterior, and combined approaches. However, the rigid constructs pose a risk of proximal junctional failure. In this study, we aim to systemically evaluate the biomechanical performance of different TL reconstruction constructs using finite element analysis. Furthermore, we investigate the motion and the stress on the proximal junctional level adjacent to the constructs. We used a T10-L3 finite element model and simulated L1 burst fracture. Reconstruction with posterior instrumentation (PI) alone (U2L2 and U1L1+(intermediate screw) and three-column spinal reconstruction (TCSR) constructs (U1L1+PMMA and U1L1+Cage) were compared. Long-segment PI resulted in greater global motion reduction compared to constructs with short-segment PI. TCSR constructs provided better stabilization in L1 compared to PI alone. Decreased intradiscal and intravertebral pressure in the proximal level were observed in U1L1+IS, U1L1+PMMA, and U1L1+Cage compared to U2L2. The stress and strain energy of the pedicle screws decreased when anterior reconstruction was performed in addition to PI. We showed that TCSR with anterior reconstruction and SSPI provided sufficient immobilization while offering additional advantages in the preservation of physiological motion, the decreased burden on the proximal junctional level, and lower risk of implant failure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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12 pages, 6579 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of a Locking Autocompression Screw Model in Pauwels Type-3 Femoral Neck Fracture: In Vitro Analysis

by Vincenzo Giordano, Anderson Freitas, Robinson Esteves Pires, Leonardo Rigobello Battaglion, Mariana de Oliveira Lobo and William Dias Belangero

Bioengineering 2022, 9(9), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9090464 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2517

Abstract

Femoral neck fractures in young adults are uncommon, resulting from high-energy trauma. Despite their infrequency in this population, there is higher rate of complications, especially in the more vertical fracture line, classified by Pauwels as a type-3 femoral neck fracture. The implant type [...] Read more.

Femoral neck fractures in young adults are uncommon, resulting from high-energy trauma. Despite their infrequency in this population, there is higher rate of complications, especially in the more vertical fracture line, classified by Pauwels as a type-3 femoral neck fracture. The implant type is of paramount importance for maintaining anatomical reduction, since it must resist the deforming forces that act on the fracture. We comparatively evaluated two constructions of the novel locking autocompression implant (X-PIN and X-PIN+P) using the finite element method and previously established methods for treating Pauwels type-3 femoral neck fractures. Six fixation models were developed for the study: a dynamic hip screw (DHS), a DHS with an anti-rotation screw (DHS+P), the inverted triangle multiple cannulated screws construction (ASNIS), the multiple cannulated screws in an L-configuration (L), and the two models of the novel locking autocompression screw (X-PIN and X-PIN+P). Under the same conditions with a load of 2100 N, the following parameters were evaluated using SIMLAB^® software: the main maximum (Max P), main minimum (Min P), localized maximum P1 (Max P1), localized maximum P2 (Max P2), total displacement, localized displacement, rotation displacement, and von Mises stress. Compared to the DHS+P and ASNIS models, the X-PIN+P model presented, respectively, increases of 51.6% and 64.7% for Max P, 85% and 247% for Min P, and 18.9% and 166.7% for von Mises stress. Max P1 did not differ between the models, but Max P2 was 55% and 50% lower for X-PIN+P than ASNIS and L, respectively. All displacement values were lower for X-PIN+P than the other models. In this FEM testing, the X-PIN+P was superior to the other models, which was due to improvement in all parameters of stress distribution, displacement, and von Mises stress compared to models using a lateral plate (DHS and DHS+P) or not (ASNIS and L). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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12 pages, 1809 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does the Use of an Intraoral Scanner Affect Muscle Fatigue? A Preliminary In Vivo Study

by KeunBaDa Son, Ji-Min Lee, Young-Tak Son, Jin-Wook Kim, Myoung-Uk Jin and Kyu-Bok Lee

Bioengineering 2022, 9(8), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9080358 - 1 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2044

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activation and fatigue in the operator during tooth preparation and intraoral scanning by simulating these tasks in two types of dental unit chair systems (UCS). Six participants were recruited, and the above tasks were [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activation and fatigue in the operator during tooth preparation and intraoral scanning by simulating these tasks in two types of dental unit chair systems (UCS). Six participants were recruited, and the above tasks were simulated. Electrodes were placed on the skin over five types of muscles (arm, neck, and shoulder muscles), and the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was measured. Electromyography (EMG) was assessed during the simulation, and EMG values were normalized using MVC. The root mean square (RMS) EMG (%MVC) and muscle fatigue (%) were calculated. Owing to a lack of normal distribution of the data, Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were performed for statistical comparison, and Bonferroni adjustment was performed for multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). There was no significant difference in RMS EMG between the two types of dental UCS (intraoral scanning, p = 0.237; tooth preparation, p = 0.543). Moreover, the RMS EMG and muscle fatigue were not significantly different between the two tasks (p > 0.05). There was significant muscle fatigue after the intraoral scanner use was simulated thrice (p < 0.001). It is necessary to refrain from performing continuous intraoral scanning and tooth preparation and to take appropriate rest to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists in clinical settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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12 pages, 1458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of a Shoe’s Heel-Toe Drop on Gait Parameters during the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

by Xin Li, Zhenghui Lu, Dong Sun, Rongrong Xuan, Zhiyi Zheng and Yaodong Gu

Bioengineering 2022, 9(6), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9060241 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2923

Abstract

Background: Changes in physical shape and body mass during pregnancy may increase the risk of walking falls. Shoes can protect and enhance the inherent function of the foot, helping to maintain dynamic and static stability. Methods: Sixteen women during the third trimester of [...] Read more.

Background: Changes in physical shape and body mass during pregnancy may increase the risk of walking falls. Shoes can protect and enhance the inherent function of the foot, helping to maintain dynamic and static stability. Methods: Sixteen women during the third trimester of pregnancy participated in this study to investigate the effect of negative heel shoes (NHS), positive heel shoes (PHS), and normal shoes (NS) on spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction force (GRF), and stability. Differences in spatiotemporal parameter, GRF, and center of pressure (COP) between footwear conditions were examined using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) and repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA). Results: The walking speed and step length increased with the increase in heel-toe drop. The anterior-posterior (AP)-COP in NHS decreased significantly (p < 0.001). When wearing NHS, peak posterior angles were significantly lower than NS and PHS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results show that changing the heel-toe drop can significantly affect the gait pattern of pregnant women. Understanding the gait patterns of pregnant women wearing shoes with different heel-toe drops is very important for reducing the risk of injury and equipment design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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9 pages, 1366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How do Paraspinal Muscles Contract during the Schroth Exercise Treatment in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)?

by Chen He, Jian-Tao Yang, Qian Zheng, Zhao Mei and Christina Zong-Hao Ma

Bioengineering 2022, 9(6), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9060234 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3158

Abstract

The Schroth exercise can train the paraspinal muscles of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), however, muscle performance during the training remains unknown. This study applied surface electromyography (sEMG) to investigate the paraspinal muscle activities before, during and after Schroth exercise in nine [...] Read more.

The Schroth exercise can train the paraspinal muscles of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), however, muscle performance during the training remains unknown. This study applied surface electromyography (sEMG) to investigate the paraspinal muscle activities before, during and after Schroth exercise in nine AIS patients. This study found that after the Schroth exercise, the paraspinal muscle symmetry index (PMSI) was significantly reduced (PMSI = 1.3), while symmetry exercise significantly lowered the PMSI (PMSI = 0.93 and 0.75), and asymmetric exercise significantly increased the PMSI (PMSI = 2.56 and 1.52) compared to relax standing (PMSI = 1.36) in participants (p < 0.05). Among the four exercises, the PMSI of on all fours (exercise 1) and kneeling on one side (exercise 3) was the most and the least close to 1, respectively. The highest root mean square (RMS) of sEMG at the concave and convex side was observed in squatting on the bar (exercise 2) and sitting with side bending (exercise 4), respectively. This study observed that the asymmetric and symmetric exercise induced more sEMG activity on the convex and concave side, respectively, and weight bearing exercise activated more paraspinal muscle contractions on both sides of the scoliotic curve in the included AIS patients. A larger patient sample size needs to be investigated in the future to validate the current observations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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35 pages, 164666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Turmell-Meter: A Device for Estimating the Subtalar and Talocrural Axes of the Human Ankle Joint by Applying the Product of Exponentials Formula

by Óscar Agudelo-Varela, Julio Vargas-Riaño and Ángel Valera

Bioengineering 2022, 9(5), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9050199 - 4 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2676

Abstract

The human ankle is a complex joint, most commonly represented as the talocrural and subtalar axes. It is troublesome to take in vivo measurements of the ankle joint. There are no instruments for patients lying on flat surfaces; employed in outdoor or remote [...] Read more.

The human ankle is a complex joint, most commonly represented as the talocrural and subtalar axes. It is troublesome to take in vivo measurements of the ankle joint. There are no instruments for patients lying on flat surfaces; employed in outdoor or remote sites. We have developed a “Turmell-meter” to address these issues. It started with the study of ankle anatomy and anthropometry. We also use the product of exponentials’ formula to visualize the movements. We built a prototype using human proportions and statistics. For pose estimation, we used a trilateration method by applying tetrahedral geometry. We computed the axis direction by fitting circles in 3D, plotting the manifold and chart as an ankle joint model. We presented the results of simulations, a prototype comprising 45 parts, specifically designed draw-wire sensors, and electronics. Finally, we tested the device by capturing positions and fitting them into the bi-axial ankle model as a Riemannian manifold. The Turmell-meter is a hardware platform for human ankle joint axes estimation. The measurement accuracy and precision depend on the sensor quality; we address this issue by designing an electronics capture circuit, measuring the real measurement with a Vernier caliper. Then, we adjust the analog voltages and filter the 10-bit digital value. The Technology Readiness Level is 2. The proposed ankle joint model has the properties of a chart in a geometric manifold, and we provided the details. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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Review

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16 pages, 832 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Coupled MBS and FEM Models of the Spine—A Review

by Kati Nispel, Tanja Lerchl, Veit Senner and Jan S. Kirschke

Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030315 - 1 Mar 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2699

Abstract

How back pain is related to intervertebral disc degeneration, spinal loading or sports-related overuse remains an unanswered question of biomechanics. Coupled MBS and FEM simulations can provide a holistic view of the spine by considering both the overall kinematics and kinetics of the [...] Read more.

How back pain is related to intervertebral disc degeneration, spinal loading or sports-related overuse remains an unanswered question of biomechanics. Coupled MBS and FEM simulations can provide a holistic view of the spine by considering both the overall kinematics and kinetics of the spine and the inner stress distribution of flexible components. We reviewed studies that included MBS and FEM co-simulations of the spine. Thereby, we classified the studies into unidirectional and bidirectional co-simulation, according to their data exchange methods. Several studies have demonstrated that using unidirectional co-simulation models provides useful insights into spinal biomechanics, although synchronizing the two distinct models remains a key challenge, often requiring extensive manual intervention. The use of a bidirectional co-simulation features an iterative, automated process with a constant data exchange between integrated subsystems. It reduces manual corrections of vertebra positions or reaction forces and enables detailed modeling of dynamic load cases. Bidirectional co-simulations are thus a promising new research approach for improved spine modeling, as a main challenge in spinal biomechanics is the nonlinear deformation of the intervertebral discs. Future studies will likely include the automated implementation of patient-specific bidirectional co-simulation models using hyper- or poroelastic intervertebral disc FEM models and muscle forces examined by an optimization algorithm in MBS. Applications range from clinical diagnosis to biomechanical analysis of overload situations in sports and injury prediction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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18 pages, 348 KiB

Open AccessReview

Multibody Models of the Thoracolumbar Spine: A Review on Applications, Limitations, and Challenges

by Tanja Lerchl, Kati Nispel, Thomas Baum, Jannis Bodden, Veit Senner and Jan S. Kirschke

Bioengineering 2023, 10(2), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10020202 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2358

Abstract

Numerical models of the musculoskeletal system as investigative tools are an integral part of biomechanical and clinical research. While finite element modeling is primarily suitable for the examination of deformation states and internal stresses in flexible bodies, multibody modeling is based on the [...] Read more.

Numerical models of the musculoskeletal system as investigative tools are an integral part of biomechanical and clinical research. While finite element modeling is primarily suitable for the examination of deformation states and internal stresses in flexible bodies, multibody modeling is based on the assumption of rigid bodies, that are connected via joints and flexible elements. This simplification allows the consideration of biomechanical systems from a holistic perspective and thus takes into account multiple influencing factors of mechanical loads. Being the source of major health issues worldwide, the human spine is subject to a variety of studies using these models to investigate and understand healthy and pathological biomechanics of the upper body. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art literature on multibody models of the thoracolumbar spine and identify limitations and challenges related to current modeling approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

Other

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24 pages, 1071 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Intracycle Velocity Variation in Swimming: A Systematic Scoping Review

by Aléxia Fernandes, José Afonso, Francisco Noronha, Bruno Mezêncio, João Paulo Vilas-Boas and Ricardo J. Fernandes

Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030308 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3610

Abstract

Intracycle velocity variation is a swimming relevant research topic, focusing on understanding the interaction between hydrodynamic propulsive and drag forces. We have performed a systematic scoping review to map the main concepts, sources and types of evidence accomplished. Searches were conducted in the [...] Read more.

Intracycle velocity variation is a swimming relevant research topic, focusing on understanding the interaction between hydrodynamic propulsive and drag forces. We have performed a systematic scoping review to map the main concepts, sources and types of evidence accomplished. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as the Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming Symposia Proceedings Book, with manual searches, snowballing citation tracking, and external experts consultation. The eligibility criteria included competitive swimmers’ intracycle velocity variation assessment of any sex, distance, pace, swimming technique and protocol. Studies’ characteristics were summarized and expressed in an evidence gap map, and the risk of bias was judged using RoBANS. A total of 76 studies, corresponding to 68 trials involving 1440 swimmers (55.2 and 34.1% males and females), were included, with only 20 (29.4%) presenting an overall low risk of bias. The front crawl was the most studied swimming technique and intracycle velocity variation was assessed and quantified in several ways, leading to extremely divergent results. Researchers related intracycle velocity variation to coordination, energy cost, fatigue, technical proficiency, velocity, swimming techniques variants and force. Future studies should focus on studying backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly at high intensities, in young, youth and world-class swimmers, as well as in IVV quantification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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