Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The development of comprehensive computational models of the human foot was suggested to
be one of the most important directions for future research in podiatric biomechanics (Kirby 2001).
In reviewing models developed so far for the foot and ankle, improvements may be made in the
following aspects:
•
Accurate representation of the complicated three-dimensional geometries of the human
foot and ankle, incorporating complete ligamentous and articulating features, as well as
support.
•
Bone interactions and their relative movement.
•
Proper mechanical properties for various bodies.
•
Accurate boundary and loading conditions, including joint and muscle forces under vari-
ous activities.
•
Model validation with help of experimental studies.
1.2 develoPment oF a ComPrehenSIve Foot model
A flowchart of FE model development, validation, and applications is shown in Figure 1.2. The
normal procedures for FE model development and validation involve data acquisition, parameter
extraction, model processing and post-processing, and analysis.
1.2.1 G
eometric
m
odel
of
H
uman
f
oot
and
S
upport
The geometry of the human foot and ankle for building the FE model was obtained from three-
dimensional reconstruction of coronal MR images taken at 2 mm intervals from the right foot of
a normal male subject of age 26, height 174 cm, and weight 70 kg in the neutral foot position.
A custom ankle-foot orthosis fabricated during upright sitting was used to maintain the neutral foot
position of the supine subject during MR scanning.
In vivo
experiment
Cadaveric
experiment
Medical imaging
Data
acquisition
3D
reconstruction
Musculoskeletal
model
Tissue
property
Joint
force
Boundary
condition
Load
condition
Muscle
forces
Geometry
Contact
area
Parameter
extraction
Processing
Model
verification
Finite element model
Model validation
Parametric analysis & application
Shoe
design
Post-processing
and parametric
analysis
Tissue
property
......
FIgure 1.2
Flowchart of the finite element model and validation.
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