A Novel Kinematic Model of the Tibiofemoral Joint Based on a Parallel Mechanism

This paper presents a complete kinematic model of the tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) based on a RRPP + 4-SPS parallel mechanism, where R, P, and S stand for revolute, prismatic, and spherical joints, respectively. The model accounts for the contact between tibia and femur, and the four major ligaments: anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral, with anatomical significance in their length variations. An experimental flexion passive motion task is performed, and the kinematic model is tested to determine its capability to reproduce the workspace of the motion task. In addition, an optimization process is performed to simulate prescribed ligament length variations during the motion task. The proposed kinematic model is capable to reproduce with high accuracy an experimental three-dimensional workspace, and at the same time, to simulate prescribed ligament length variation during the spatial flexion task. Prescribed ligament length variations are achieved through an optimization process of the ligament insertion points. This model can be used to improve the multibody kinematic optimization (MKO) process during gait analysis, and also in the design of rehabilitation devices as well as trajectories to accelerate the recovery of injured ligaments. The model shows potential to predict ligament length variations during different motion tasks, and can serve as a basis to develop complex models for kinetostatic and dynamic analyses without dealing with computationally expensive models.