Deformable musculoskeletal modelling system and software development

Computer modelling of the musculoskeletal system is an important tool to derive in vivo biomechanics and biotribology, and has been widely applied to areas such as gait analysis and design of joint prostheses. Current musculoskeletal modelling software, such as OpenSim and AnyBody, are based on rigid body modelling, and thus unable to provide biotribology, stresses, strains and deformation of the musculoskeletal system. Our team have addressed the challenge of deformable musculoskeletal modelling which, compared to traditional approaches, provides more realistic and in-depth studies of in vivo biomechanics and biotribology. Examples being multi-scale and multi-physics simulation of the interaction among biotribology of joints, biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system, deformation and wrapping of soft tissues and biomechanics at the micro-scale.

Biomechanics and biotribology of soft tissues

Soft tissues including muscles, ligaments and cartilage maintain the function of the musculoskeletal system. Biomechanics and biotribology plays an important role in the degenerative mechanism of soft tissues and the outcome of treatments such as ligament reconstruction and cartilage repair. Our aim is to study the biomechanics and biotribology of natural soft tissues including muscles, ligaments and cartilage as well as artificial ligaments and cartilage, and to investigate the interaction between these soft tissues with joints and the whole musculoskeletal system, using approaches including imaging, gait capture, biomechanical experiments and the musculoskeletal modelling platform described above. Our ultimate goal is to develop patient-specific/stratified artificial soft tissue products.

Computer-assisted planning of orthopedic surgeries

Surgical plans, such as the type and positioning for knee replacement, affect biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and biotribology of the implant which play a key role in the outcome of orthopedic surgeries. Clinicians typically plan surgeries based on their subjective clinical experience rather than on objective prediction of post-treatment function derived from patients’ data. We have developed a state-of-the-art biomechanical and biotribological modelling framework. We plan to further develop this method into a clinical tool to assist with planning of orthopedic surgeries in which surgeons can choose between different treatment options based on the simulated biomechanics and biotribology of the implant and the musculoskeletal system, which will move a step forward towards patient-specific orthopedic treatments.

Robotic exoskeletons

We plan to develop robotic exoskeletons that are able to restore the function of bones, muscles and joints.