Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
part in that research such as the Riverside Graphics Lab of University of California
developing an anatomically inspired torso simulator for breathing and laughing
[
3
,
4
]. The Center of Computer Graphics and Visualization of the University of
West Bohemia developed a musculoskeletal model, where bones and muscles are
represented by their triangulated surfaces obtained from MRI data, and adopted the
action-lines muscle description and FEMmusculoskeletal models for the simulation
to provide clinicians with a tool fast enough to be suitable for the clinical practice but
with enhanced accuracy. The Computer Graphics and Vision Laboratory at UCLA
also participated by developing a comprehensive biomechanical model of the human
upper body with modeling and controlling nearly all relevant articular bones and
muscles, as well as simulating the physics-based deformations of the soft tissues [
5
].
This chapter is structured as follows. First, we will discuss how to create an
accurate virtual anatomical
model
of a human, based on real-world information from
animation and biomechanics. Then, we discuss the various techniques that allowus to
simulate
the various aspects of this model such as muscular actuation and deformable
objects. Finally, we will discuss a number of practical issues that are of use to anyone
who wants to
implement
such a simulation.
6.2 Modeling Virtual Anatomical Humans
The ultimate goal of modeling virtual humans is to develop a generation of digital
humans that comprise of realistic human models including anatomy, biomechanics,
physiology, and intelligence. In this sectionwe present the state-of-the-art approaches
regarding the modeling of physical humans in the fields of animation and biomechan-
ics. First the human biomechanics is introduced, then we present how the different
anatomical entities are usually modeled, and finally we indicate how acquisition and
processing techniques are used to generate such models.
6.2.1 The Human Biomechanics
Human motion is a complex process driven by various biological triggers. These
triggers lead to the exertion of mechanical forces that in the end are visualized as
movements by the human body. The role of human biomechanics is to study the
structure as well as function of humans through the lens of mechanics. In his classic
topic, David Winter states that human biomechanics is an interdisciplinary field that
describes, analyses, and assesses human movement [
6
]. Human biomechanics is also
intertwined with other fields of movement science such as neurophysiology, exercise
physiology, and anatomy.
