Date of Award

2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering Science

Program

Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Supervisor

Dr. Cynthia E. Dunning, P.Eng.

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas R. Jenkyn, P.Eng

Abstract

A computerized inverse dynamic model of the elbow joint (based on kinematics and quasi-static kinetics) was developed to quantify loading in the joint’s muscles, ligaments and bones. Anatomical information was obtained from computed tomography images. Muscle and ligament vectors were modelled and bony force orientations were constrained to act within identified contact areas. Muscle wrapping points were imposed to create more anatomically-realistic lines-of-action. Optimization produced solutions for static mechanical equilibrium using a cost function that minimized the sum of forces squared, and weighted the muscle loads by their relative physiological cross-sectional area. Trends in muscle and bony loading proportions were comparable to previous muscle activity, cadaveric, and model-based studies. Model outputs were somewhat sensitive to cost function coefficients. The developed model will provide a baseline of elbow loading, which has not been currently well defined, making it an important tool in improving rehabilitation procedures and joint replacement designs

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