A viscoelastic laryngeal muscle model with active components.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Computational Biology
• Muscle Physiology

Background:

• Accurate laryngeal muscle modeling requires precise definitions of passive and active tissue properties.
• Existing models may not fully capture the complex mechanical behaviors of laryngeal muscles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel muscle model that integrates active stress components with established passive properties.
• To assess the model's efficacy in simulating the mechanical responses of laryngeal muscles.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-network Ogden model for passive stress simulation.
• Incorporated a Hill-based contractile element equation for active stress calculations.
• Calibrated model parameters using literature data for canine cricothyroid muscle.

Main Results:

• Model simulations demonstrated good agreement with published canine cricothyroid muscle behavior.
• The model accurately predicted tetanus response and contraction time under isometric conditions.
• The model showed accurate stress predictions during dynamic strain with activation.

Conclusions:

• The developed muscle model effectively simulates laryngeal muscle mechanics, including active stress.
• This integrated approach enhances the accuracy of computational models for laryngeal muscle function.
• The findings support the use of this model for further research in laryngeal biomechanics.