The Knee Loading Apparatus: Axial, Anterior, and Compressive Loading With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica C. Küpper ◽  
Ion Robu ◽  
Richard Frayne ◽  
Janet L. Ronsky
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Compressive Loading ◽  
Hydraulic Loading ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Knee Loading ◽  
Loading System ◽  
Main Components

When magnetic resonance (MR) images are collected while applying a load to the knee joint, additional information about the joint response to loading can be acquired such as cartilage deformation, whole joint and ligament stiffness, or physiological estimates of weight-bearing joint positions. To allow load application and controlled lower limb movement in supine MR imaging, the knee loading apparatus (KLA) was designed to apply safe and physiologically relevant controlled loads to the knee joint, position the knee through a range of flexion angles, and operate successfully in a magnetic environment. The KLA is composed of three main components: a remotely operated custom hydraulic loading system, a logic system that interfaces with the user, and modular non ferromagnetic positioning frames. Three positioning frames are presented for application to anterior tibial loading, tibiofemoral compression, and patellofemoral compression at multiple knee flexion angles. This system design makes improvements over current devices. Safe remotely applied loads (hydraulic loading system) can be applied by either subject or tester and in multiple locations simultaneously. Additionally, loads can be altered at any time in a continuous manner without electrical interference. Transportability was improved due to a smaller footprint. The KLA has the flexibility to attach any positioning frame with many possible loading scenarios without changing the loading mechanism or logic systems, and allows force values over time to be output rather than estimated. An evaluation of the load repeatability (within 7% of applied load) and accuracy (0.5–14.9%) demonstrates the feasibility of this design for investigations into in vivo knee joint responses to loading.

In Vivo Tracking of the Human Patella Using Cine Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 650-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. T. Sheehan ◽  
F. E. Zajac ◽  
J. E. Drace
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Contrast Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Knee Joint Kinematics ◽  
Cine Phase Contrast

Improper patellar tracking is often considered to be the cause of patellar-femoral pain. Unfortunately, our knowledge of patellar-femoral-tibial (knee) joint kinematics is severely limited due to a lack of three-dimensional, noninvasive, in vivo measurement techniques. This study presents the first large-scale, dynamic, three-dimensional, noninvasive, in vivo study of nonimpaired knee joint kinematics during volitional leg extensions. Cine-phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the velocity profiles of the patella, femur, and tibia in 18 unimpaired knees during leg extensions, resisted by a 34 N weight. Bone displacements were calculated through integration and then converted into three-dimensional orientation angles. We found that the patella displaced laterally, superiorly, and anteriorly as the knee extended. Further, patellar flexion lagged knee flexion, patellar tilt was variable, and patellar rotation was fairly constant throughout extension.

Development and Evaluation of a Subject-Specific Lower Limb Model With an Eleven-Degrees-of-Freedom Natural Knee Model Using Magnetic Resonance and Biplanar X-Ray Imaging During a Quasi-Static Lunge

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Leandro Dejtiar ◽  
Christine Mary Dzialo ◽  
Peter Heide Pedersen ◽  
Kenneth Krogh Jensen ◽  
Martin Kokholm Fleron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Joint Model ◽  
Joint Kinematics ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Joint Mechanics ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Knee Mechanics ◽  
Subject Specific

Abstract Musculoskeletal (MS) models can be used to study the muscle, ligament, and joint mechanics of natural knees. However, models that both capture subject-specific geometry and contain a detailed joint model do not currently exist. This study aims to first develop magnetic resonance image (MRI)-based subject-specific models with a detailed natural knee joint capable of simultaneously estimating in vivo ligament, muscle, tibiofemoral (TF), and patellofemoral (PF) joint contact forces and secondary joint kinematics. Then, to evaluate the models, the predicted secondary joint kinematics were compared to in vivo joint kinematics extracted from biplanar X-ray images (acquired using slot scanning technology) during a quasi-static lunge. To construct the models, bone, ligament, and cartilage structures were segmented from MRI scans of four subjects. The models were then used to simulate lunges based on motion capture and force place data. Accurate estimates of TF secondary joint kinematics and PF translations were found: translations were predicted with a mean difference (MD) and standard error (SE) of 2.13 ± 0.22 mm between all trials and measures, while rotations had a MD ± SE of 8.57 ± 0.63 deg. Ligament and contact forces were also reported. The presented modeling workflow and the resulting knee joint model have potential to aid in the understanding of subject-specific biomechanics and simulating the effects of surgical treatment and/or external devices on functional knee mechanics on an individual level.

Estimation of In-Vivo Quadriceps Forces of the Knee: A Combined In-Vivo Patellofemoral Joint Kinematics Measurement and Finite Element Prediction

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi Kobayashi ◽  
Guoan Li
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Load Transfer ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Moment Arms ◽  
Joint Reaction Forces ◽  
Joint Contact ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Knee Pathology

The load transfer mechanics across the patellofemoral (PF) joint during weight-bearing conditions is important for treatment of the knee pathology, such as knee OA, ACL deficiency as well as TKA. Many studies have characterized the PF joint reaction forces using equilibriums of the quadriceps and ground reaction forces at the knee joint [1,2,3]. However, this simplification does not consider other muscle function as well as 3D knee joint contact location when calculate moment arms of the involved forces.

Finite Element Modeling of Knee Joint Contact Pressures and Comparison to Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Loaded Knee

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Yao ◽  
Art D. Salo ◽  
Monica Barbu-McInnis ◽  
Amy L. Lerner
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Model Predictions

A finite element model of the knee joint could be helpful in providing insight on mechanisms of injury, effects of treatment, and the role of mechanical factors in degenerative conditions. However, preparation of such a model involves many geometric simplifications and input of material properties, some of which are poorly understood. Therefore, a method to compare model predictions to actual behaviors under controlled conditions could provide confidence in the model before exploration of other loading scenarios. Our laboratory has developed a method to apply axial loads to the in vivo human knee during magnetic resonance imaging, resembling weightbearing conditions. Image processing algorithms may then be used to assess the three-dimensional kinematics of the tibia and femur during loading. A three-dimensional model of the tibio-menisco-femoral contact has been generated and the image-based kinematic boundary conditions were applied to investigate the distribution of stresses and strains in the articular cartilage and menisci throughout the loading period. In this study, our goal is to investigate the contact patterns during long term loading of up to twenty minutes in the healthy knee. Specifically, we assess the use of both elastic and poroelastic material properties in the cartilage, and compare model predictions to known loading conditions and images of tissue deformations.

scholarly journals EMG-informed neuromusculoskeletal models accurately predict knee loading measured using instrumented implants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Bennett ◽  
Claudio Pizzolato ◽  
Saulo Martelli ◽  
Jasvir Bahl ◽  
Arjun Sivakumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Stochastic Approach ◽  
Probabilistic Methods ◽  
Joint Loading ◽  
Knee Loading ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Knee Joint Loading ◽  
Single Calibration

<p>We investigated three different methods for simulating neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) control to generate estimates of knee joint loading which were compared to in-vivo measured loads. The major contributions of this work to the literature are in generalizing EMG-informed and probabilistic methods for modelling NMS control.</p> <p>A single calibration function for EMG-informed NMS modelling was identified which accurately estimated knee loads for multiple people across multiple trials. Using a stochastic approach to NMS modelling, we investigated the range of possible solutions for knee joint loading during walking, showing the method's generalizability and capability to generate solutions which encompassed the measured knee loads. Through this stochastic approach, we were able to show that a single degree of freedom planar knee is suited to estimating total knee loading, but is insufficient for estimating the directional components of load.</p> <p> </p>

scholarly journals Rectus Femoris Knee Muscle Moment Arms Measured in Vivo During Dynamic Motion With Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolo M. Fiorentino ◽  
Jonathan S. Lin ◽  
Kathryn B. Ridder ◽  
Michael A. Guttman ◽  
Elliot R. McVeigh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Moment Arms ◽  
Joint Flexion ◽  
Tendon Excursion

Moment arms represent a muscle's ability to generate a moment about a joint for a given muscle force. The goal of this study was to develop a method to measure muscle moment arms in vivo over a large range of motion using real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Rectus femoris muscle-tendon lengths and knee joint angles of healthy subjects (N = 4) were measured during dynamic knee joint flexion and extension in a large-bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Muscle-tendon moment arms were determined at the knee using the tendon-excursion method by differentiating measured muscle-tendon length with respect to joint angle. Rectus femoris moment arms were averaged across a group of healthy subjects and were found to vary similarly during knee joint flexion (mean: 3.0 (SD 0.5) cm, maximum: 3.5 cm) and extension (mean: 2.8 (SD 0.4) cm, maximum: 3.6 cm). These moment arms compare favorably with previously published dynamic tendon-excursion measurements in cadaveric specimens but were relatively smaller than moment arms from center-of-rotation studies. The method presented here provides a new approach to measure muscle-tendon moment arms in vivo and has the potential to be a powerful resource for characterizing musculoskeletal geometry during dynamic joint motion.

Continuous Passive Motion and Loading System Design for the Study of Pro- and Anti-Inflamatory Mediators in Articular Cartilage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Gu ◽  
Daniel Leong ◽  
Rashal Mahammud ◽  
Yong Hui Li ◽  
Hui Bin Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Angular Displacement ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Continuous Passive Motion ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Passive Motion

Joint diseases are common causes of disability worldwide. Physical activity and weight bearing conditions play an important role in the regulation of joint homeostasis throughout life. The parametric characterization of deleterious and beneficial joint loading regimens influencing the homeostasis of articular cartilage is of great interest from both a basic research and clinical practice point of view. The development of in vivo animal models is critical to investigate the underlying mechanisms mediating the biological response of articular joints to external mechanical stimuli. For this purpose, the design of a device capable of accurately control the joint motion and loading in a small animal is needed. In the present work, an assisted motion system was conceived to perform continuous passive motion (CPM) and continuous loaded motion (CLM) on the knee joint of a small animal in vivo. A major purpose of this system is the study of the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory response of cartilage under several biomechanical environments. Therefore, a key design criterion was to avoid any invasive intervention (i.e. intraskeletal fixators) that may produce an intrinsic inflammatory response and then obscure/mislead the assessment of the biological markers of interest. Other important design criteria include real time control of the knee joint position, angular displacement, cyclic motion frequency and custom load magnitude applied in the axial direction along the tibia.

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