title: Modelling the passive and nerve activated response of the rectus femoris muscle to a flexion loading: a finite element framework.
abstract: A muscle modelling framework is presented which relates the mechanical response of the rectus femoris muscle (at the organ level) to tissue level properties, with the capability of linking to the cellular level as part of the IUPS Physiome Project. This paper will outline our current approach to muscle modelling incorporating micro-structural passive and active properties including fibre orientations and nerve innervation. The technique is based on finite deformation (using FE analysis) coupled to electrical nerve initiated muscle activation, and we present the influence of active tension through an eccentric contraction at specific flexion angles. Finally we discuss the future goals of incorporating cell mechanics and validating at the organ level to provide a complete diagnostic tool with the ability to relate mechanisms of failure across spatial scales.
authors.affiliation: The Bioengineering Institute, Auckland University, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Buist
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Nickerson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000465:Algorithms; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019295:Computational Biology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D009142:Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D016011:Normal Distribution; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors