MUSCLEUP

MuscleUp - Towards an Interface for Detailed Musculoskeletal Models

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Computer simulations are an increasingly popular tool for investigating and enhancing our knowledge of the human body. They can provide valuable insights and provide in silico experiments to test hypotheses of complex biological relationships. Due to the inherent complexity of the structures and the highly-specialised area of expertise of the researcher/user, computational models are often reduced to the components that are essential to fulfil the least amount of assumptions such that their results can be interpreted and discussed within a specific context. The purpose of this proposal is to bring together researchers with complementary expertise to develop (i) detailed models of complex musculoskeletal systems (the ‘next generation models’) and (ii) a novel web interface to disseminate those models. The improvement of models existing in research groups participating in this proposal will include the spine, hip, pelvic floor, and the tongue. A special focus will be on the inclusion of 3D soft tissue structures, e.g. skeletal muscles, and their material descriptions. The aim of the interface is to provide easy access to such near-complete descriptions of complex models. The interface is guided by the development of the models and will appeal to similar concepts as standard web pages and the ability to include 3D scenes of models. This can only be achieved through an international network of well-established research groups with expertise in material science, computational science, software design, whole organ modelling, modelling biotribological systems, clinical contacts, biomechanics, sports science, etc. The network includes the Cluster of Excellence for Simulation Technology, SimTech (University of Stuttgart, Germany), the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (University of Leeds, UK), the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (University of Auckland, New Zealand), and the Medical Engineering Research Theme (Queensland University of Technology, Australia).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Being able to combine models of muscle, bone, cartilage and even implants to an integrated model of parts of the musculoskeletal system benefit scientists, engineers and practitioners alike. Previously, the lack of detailed computational models of the musculoskeletal system prevented a better understanding and therapy.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Due to the inherent model complexity, both natural and computational, of the musculoskeletal system, simulations are most often confined to a simplified description of a very specific problem. A multidisciplinary consortium has developed biomechanically realistic computational models of parts of the musculoskeletal system with EU funding of the project 'MuscleUp - Towards an interface for detailed musculoskeletal models' (MUSCLEUP).

The scientists have incorporated 3D tissue structures as well as boundary and loading conditions for a step-change in capabilities. The team brought together expertise in software engineering and constitutive modelling of tissues, specifically development of continuum mechanical models and multi-body simulations.

Researchers also contributed their knowledge and experience with experimental techniques and clinical applications. This was of critical importance in using and developing models to determine realistic dynamical loading behaviour to correlate anatomy and physiology of the human body as well as to develop in silico mechanical tests for implants.

Excellent teamwork and collaboration, both within and external to the consortium, fostered innovation and important advances in musculoskeletal modelling by considering realistic input from muscular contractions. The team has developed 3D continuum-mechanical models, 1D multi-body models and skeletal muscle models exploiting electromyography data. They have also produced coupled 3D and 1D models for more realistic representations. This work has led to several publications on topics related musculoskeletal research including the use of models to assist in placing sensors for tracking movements of the musculoskeletal system.

In contrast to other sites, MUSCLEUP includes a graphical user interface that enables 3D visualisation of the model systems within a web browser: http://opencms.uni-stuttgart.de/fak2/mib/km/cbam/research/muscleup/index.html (the MuscleUp-DataBase System). The project currently includes models of the tongue, pelvic floor and upper arm. The spine is under construction.

Models form an important part of the research cycle. Experimentation provides data to refine theories and mathematical descriptions of behaviours. The optimised models support formation of predictions and a means to test hypotheses. With more realistic models of various components of the musculoskeletal system, MUSCLEUP has made an important contribution to understanding of health, disease, trauma and therapy.