Biomechanical model of the human knee evaluated by neuromuscular stimulation

A detailed model of the human knee was developed to predict shank motion induced by functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS). A discrete-time model is used to characterize the relationship between stimulus parameters and muscle activation. A Hill-based model of the musculotendon actuator accounts for nonlinear static and dynamic properties of both muscle and tendon. Muscle fatigue and passive muscle viscosity are modeled in detail. Moment arms are computed from musculotendon paths of 13 actuators and from joint geometry. The model also takes nonlinear body-segmental dynamics into consideration. The simulated motion is visualized by graphic animation. Individual model parameters were identified by specific procedures such as anthropometric measurements, a passive pendulum test, and specific open-loop stimulation experiments. Model results were compared with experimental data obtained by stimulating the quadriceps muscle of paraplegic patients with surface electrodes. The knee moment, under isometric conditions, and the knee angle, under conditions of freely swinging shank, were measured. In view of the good correspondence obtained between model predictions and experimental data, we conclude that a biomechanical model of human motion induced by FNS can be used as a mathematical tool to support and accelerate the development of neural prostheses.