scholarly journals Robust Identification of Three-Dimensional Thumb and Index Finger Kinematics With a Minimal Set of Markers

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raviraj Nataraj ◽  
Zong-Ming Li

This study presents a methodology to determine thumb and index finger kinematics while utilizing a minimal set of markers. The motion capture of skin-surface markers presents inherent challenges for the accurate and comprehensive measurement of digit kinematics. As such, it is desirable to utilize robust methods for assessing digit kinematics with fewer markers. The approach presented in this study involved coordinate system alignment, locating joint centers of rotation, and a solution model to estimate three-dimensional (3-D) digit kinematics. The solution model for each digit was based on assumptions of rigid-body interactions, specific degrees of freedom (DOFs) at each located joint, and the aligned coordinate system definitions. Techniques of inverse kinematics and optimization were applied to calculate the 3-D position and orientation of digit segments during pinching between the thumb and index finger. The 3-D joint center locations were reliably fitted with mean coefficients of variation below 5%. A parameterized form of the solution model yielded feasible solutions that met specified tolerance and convergence criteria for over 85% of the test points. The solution results were intuitive to the pinching function. The thumb was measured to be rotated about the CMC joint to bring it into opposition to the index finger and larger rotational excursions (>10 deg) were observed in flexion/extension compared to abduction/adduction and axial rotation for all joints. While the solution model produced results similar to those computed from a full marker set, the model facilitated the usage of fewer markers, which inherently lessened the effects of passive motion error and reduced the post-experimental effort required for marker processing.

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (4A) ◽  
pp. 344-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. K. Cole ◽  
B. M. Nigg ◽  
J. L. Ronsky ◽  
M. R. Yeadon

The selection of an appropriate and/or standardized method for representing 3-D joint attitude and motion is a topic of popular debate in the field of biomechanics. The joint coordinate system (JCS) is one method that has seen considerable use in the literature. The JCS consists of an axis fixed in the proximal segment, an axis fixed in the distal segment, and a “floating” axis. There has not been general agreement in the literature on how to select the body fixed axes of the JCS. The purpose of this paper is to propose a single definition of the body fixed axes of the JCS. The two most commonly used sets of body fixed axes are compared and the differences between them quantified. These differences are shown to be relevant in terms of practical applications of the JCS. Argumentation is provided to support a proposal for a standardized selection of body fixed axes of the JCS consisting of the axis eˆ1 embedded in the proximal segment and chosen to represent flexion-extension, the “floating” axis eˆ2 chosen to represent ad-abduction, and the axis eˆ3 embedded in the distal segment and chosen to represent axial rotation of that segment. The algorithms for the JCS are then documented using generalized terminology.


2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 604-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliana M. Klier ◽  
Hongying Wang ◽  
J. Douglas Crawford

Two central, related questions in motor control are 1) how the brain represents movement directions of various effectors like the eyes and head and 2) how it constrains their redundant degrees of freedom. The interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC) integrates velocity commands from the gaze control system into position signals for three-dimensional eye and head posture. It has been shown that the right INC encodes clockwise (CW)-up and CW-down eye and head components, whereas the left INC encodes counterclockwise (CCW)-up and CCW-down components, similar to the sensitivity directions of the vertical semicircular canals. For the eyes, these canal-like coordinates align with Listing’s plane (a behavioral strategy limiting torsion about the gaze axis). By analogy, we predicted that the INC also encodes head orientation in canal-like coordinates, but instead, aligned with the coordinate axes for the Fick strategy (which constrains head torsion). Unilateral stimulation (50 μA, 300 Hz, 200 ms) evoked CW head rotations from the right INC and CCW rotations from the left INC, with variable vertical components. The observed axes of head rotation were consistent with a canal-like coordinate system. Moreover, as predicted, these axes remained fixed in the head, rotating with initial head orientation like the horizontal and torsional axes of a Fick coordinate system. This suggests that the head is ordinarily constrained to zero torsion in Fick coordinates by equally activating CW/CCW populations of neurons in the right/left INC. These data support a simple mechanism for controlling head orientation through the alignment of brain stem neural coordinates with natural behavioral constraints.


1998 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Tanaka ◽  
Kai-Nan An ◽  
Bernard F. Morrey

Three-dimensional kinematics of the ulnohumeral joint under simulated active elbow joint flexion-extension was obtained by using an electromagnetic tacking device. The joint motion was analyzed based on Eulerian angle description. In order to minimize the effect of "downstream cross-talk" on calculation of the three Eulerian angles, an optimal axis to best represent flexion-extension of the elbow joint was established. This axis, on average, is close to the line joining the centers of the capitellum and the trochlear groove. Furthermore, joint laxity under valgus-varus stress was also examined. With the weight of the forearm as the stress, maximums of 7.6° valgus-varus laxity and 5.3° axial rotation laxity were observed within a range of elbow flexion. The results of this study provide useful baseline information on joint laxity for the evaluation of elbow joints with implant replacements and other surgical treatment modalities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 6413
Author(s):  
Ji-Won Kwon ◽  
Hwan-Mo Lee ◽  
Tae-Hyun Park ◽  
Sung Jae Lee ◽  
Young-Woo Kwon ◽  
...  

The design and ratio of the cortico-cancellous composition of allograft spacers are associated with graft-related problems, including subsidence and allograft spacer failure. Methods: The study analyzed stress distribution and risk of subsidence according to three types (cortical only, cortical cancellous, cortical lateral walls with a cancellous center bone) and three lengths (11, 12, 14 mm) of allograft spacers under the condition of hybrid motion control, including flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending,. A detailed finite element model of a previously validated, three-dimensional, intact C3–7 segment, with C5–6 segmental fusion using allograft spacers without fixation, was used in the present study. Findings: Among the three types of cervical allograft spacers evaluated, cortical lateral walls with a cancellous center bone exhibited the highest stress on the cortical bone of spacers, as well as the endplate around the posterior margin of the spacers. The likelihood of allograft spacer failure was highest for 14 mm spacers composed of cortical lateral walls with a cancellous center bone upon flexion (PVMS, 270.0 MPa; 250.2%) and extension (PVMS: 371.40 MPa, 344.2%). The likelihood of allograft spacer subsidence was also highest for the same spacers upon flexion (PVMS, 4.58 MPa; 28.1%) and extension (PVMS: 12.71 MPa, 78.0%). Conclusion: Cervical spacers with a smaller cortical component and of longer length can be risk factors for allograft spacer failure and subsidence, especially in flexion and extension. However, further study of additional fixation methods, such as anterior plates/screws and posterior screws, in an actual clinical setting is necessary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiamin Wang ◽  
Oumar R. Barry

Abstract Uncontrollable shaking in the human wrist, caused by pathological tremor, can significantly undermine the power and accuracy in object manipulation. In this paper, the design of a tremor alleviating wrist exoskeleton (TAWE) is introduced. Unlike the works in the literature that only consider the flexion/extension (FE) motion, in this paper, we model the wrist joint as a constrained three-dimensional (3D) rotational joint accounting for the coupled FE and radial/ulnar deviation (RUD) motions. Hence TAWE, which features a six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) rigid linkage structure, aims to accurately monitor, suppress tremors, and provide light-power augmentation in both FE and RUD wrist motions. The presented study focuses on providing a fundamental understanding of the feasibility of TAWE through theoretical analyses. The analytical multibody modeling of the forearm–TAWE assembly provides insight into the necessary conditions for control, which indicates that reliable control conditions in the desired workspace can be acquired by tuning the design parameters. Nonlinear regressions are then implemented to identify the information that is crucial to the controller design from the unknown wrist kinematics. The proposed analytical model is validated numerically with V-REP and the result shows good agreement. Simulations also demonstrate the reliable performance of TAWE under controllers designed for tremor suppression and movement assistance.


2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Del Rossi ◽  
Mary Beth H. Horodyski ◽  
Bryan P. Conrad ◽  
Christian P. Di Paola ◽  
Matthew J. Di Paola ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: To achieve full spinal immobilization during on-the-field management of an actual or potential spinal injury, rescuers transfer and secure patients to a long spine board. Several techniques can be used to facilitate this patient transfer. Objective: To compare spinal segment motion of cadavers during the execution of the 6-plus–person (6+) lift, lift-and-slide (LS), and logroll (LR) spine-board transfer techniques. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Eight medical professionals (1 woman, 7 men) with 5 to 32 years of experience were enlisted to help carry out the transfer techniques. In addition, test conditions were performed on 5 fresh cadavers (3 males, 2 females) with a mean age of 86.2 ± 11.4 years. Main Outcomes Measure(s): Three-dimensional angular and linear motions initially were recorded during execution of transfer techniques, initially using cadavers with intact spines and then after C5-C6 spinal segment destabilization. The mean maximal linear displacement and angular motion obtained and calculated from the 3 trials for each test condition were included in the statistical analysis. Results: Flexion-extension angular motion, as well as anteroposterior and distraction-compression linear motion, did not vary between the LR and either the 6+ lift or LS. Compared with the execution of the 6+ lift and LS, the execution of the LR generated significantly more axial rotation (P  =  .008 and .001, respectively), more lateral flexion (P  =  .005 and .003, respectively), and more medial-lateral translation (P  =  .003 and .004, respectively). Conclusions: A small amount of spinal motion is inevitable when executing spine-board transfer techniques; however, the execution of the 6+ lift or LS appears to minimize the extent of motion generated across a globally unstable spinal segment.


2004 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Xia Qiu ◽  
Ee-Chon Teo

Mathematical models, which can accurately represent the geometric, material and physical characteristics of the human spine structure, are useful in predicting biomechanical behaviors of the spine. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of thoracic spine (T1–T12) was developed, based on geometrical data of embalmed thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12) obtained from a precise flexible digitizer, and validated against published thoracolumbar experimental results in terms of the torsional stiffness of the whole thoracic spine (T1–T12) under axial torque alone and combined with distraction and compression loads. The torsional stiffness was increased by over 60% with application of a 425 N distraction force. A trend in increasing torsional stiffness with increasing distraction forces was detected. The validated model was then loaded under moment rotation in three anatomical planes to determine the ranges of motion (ROMs). The ROMs were approximately 37°, 31°, 32°, 51° for flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, respectively. These results may offer an insight to better understanding the kinematics of the human thoracic spine and provide clinically relevant fundamental information for the evaluation of spinal stability and instrumented devices functionality for optimal scoliosis correction.


2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Chou ◽  
Adolfo Espinoza Larios ◽  
Robert H. Chamberlain ◽  
Mary S. Fifield ◽  
Roger Hartl ◽  
...  

Object A flexibility experiment using human cadaveric thoracic spine specimens was performed to determine biomechanical differences among thoracolumbar two-screw plate, single-screw plate, and dual-rod systems. A secondary goal was to investigate differences in the ability of the systems to stabilize the spine after a one- or two-level corpectomy. Methods The authors evaluated 21 cadaveric spines implanted with a titanium mesh cage and three types of anterior thoracolumbar supplementary instrumentation after one-level thoracic corpectomies. Pure moments were applied quasistatically while three-dimensional motion was measured optoelectronically. The lax zone, stiff zone, and range of motion (ROM) were measured during flexion, extension, left and right lateral bending, and left and right axial rotation. Corpectomies were expanded to two levels, and testing was repeated with longer hardware. Biomechanical testing showed that the single-bolt plate system was no different from the dual-rod system with two screws in limiting ROM. The single-bolt plate system performed slightly better than the two-screw plate system. Across the same two levels, there was an average of 19% more motion after a two-level corpectomy than after a one-level corpectomy. In general, however, the difference across the different loading modes was insignificant. Conclusions Biomechanically, the single-screw plate system is equivalent to a two-screw dual-rod and a two-screw plate system. All three systems performed similarly in stabilizing the spine after one- or two-level corpectomies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Manuel Millán Vaquero ◽  
Alexander Vais ◽  
Sean Dean Lynch ◽  
Jan Rzepecki ◽  
Karl-Ingo Friese ◽  
...  

We present processing methods and visualization techniques for accurately characterizing and interpreting kinematical data of flexion–extension motion of the knee joint based on helical axes. We make use of the Lie group of rigid body motions and particularly its Lie algebra for a natural representation of motion sequences. This allows to analyze and compute the finite helical axis (FHA) and instantaneous helical axis (IHA) in a unified way without redundant degrees of freedom or singularities. A polynomial fitting based on Legendre polynomials within the Lie algebra is applied to provide a smooth description of a given discrete knee motion sequence which is essential for obtaining stable instantaneous helical axes for further analysis. Moreover, this allows for an efficient overall similarity comparison across several motion sequences in order to differentiate among several cases. Our approach combines a specifically designed patient-specific three-dimensional visualization basing on the processed helical axes information and incorporating computed tomography (CT) scans for an intuitive interpretation of the axes and their geometrical relation with respect to the knee joint anatomy. In addition, in the context of the study of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal articulation, we propose to integrate the above tools into a multiscale framework for exploring related data sets distributed across multiple spatial scales. We demonstrate the utility of our methods, exemplarily processing a collection of motion sequences acquired from experimental data involving several surgery techniques. Our approach enables an accurate analysis, visualization and comparison of knee joint articulation, contributing to the evaluation and diagnosis in medical applications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Hua Zuo ◽  
Ying-Bing Chen ◽  
Peng Xie ◽  
Wen-Dong Zhang ◽  
Xiang-Yun Xue ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Biomechanical comparison of wedge and biconcave deformity of different height restoration after augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures was analyzed by three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). Methods Three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of T11-L2 segment was constructed from CT scan of elderly osteoporosis patient. The von Mises stresses of vertebrae, intervertebral disc, facet joints, displacement, and range of motion (ROM) of wedge and biconcave deformity were compared at four different heights (Genant 0–3 grade) after T12 vertebral augmentation. Results In wedge deformity, the stress of T12 decreased as the vertebral height in neutral position, flexion, extension and left axial rotation, whereas increased sharply in bending at Genant 0; L1 and L2 decreased in all positions excluding flexion of L2, and T11 increased in neutral position, flexion, extension, and right axial rotation at Genant 0. No significant changes in biconcave deformity. The stress of T11-T12, T12-L1, and L1-L2 intervertebral disc gradually increased or decreased under other positions in wedge fracture, whereas L1-L2 no significant change in biconcave fracture. The utmost overall facet joint stress is at Genant 3, whereas there is no significant change under the same position in biconcave fracture. The displacement and ROM of the wedge fracture had ups and downs, while a decline in all positions excluding extension in biconcave fracture. Conclusions The vertebral restoration height after augmentation to Genant 0 affects the von Mises stress, displacement, and ROM in wedge deformity, which may increase the risk of fracture; Whereas restored or not in biconcave deformity.


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