Biomedical subjects

H F Koopman

Publications and source records attributed to H F Koopman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Biomechatronics--assisting the impaired motor system.

Biomechatronics concerns the interdisciplinary field of interaction with the human neuromuscular-skeletal system with the objective to assist impaired human motor control. In this field technology is developed that integrates neuroscience, robotics, interface and sensor technology, dynamic systems and control theory. The primary issue in this field concerns the concepts of assisting impaired human motor function. The secondary, derived, issue concerns possible methods of interfacing with the human body at all hierarchical levels of the human motor system. The application of motor assist systems may serve several goals: it can take over part of the affected motor control, enable the physiological motor system to perform the desired function or aid in training the impaired physiological system. The progress in these issues are reviewed and their potential implications for assistance of the impaired human motor system are discussed.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed1998

A Hill type model of rat medial gastrocnemius muscle that accounts for shortening history effects.

The aim of the present study was to develop a Hill type muscle model that accounts for the effects of shortening history. For this purpose, a function was derived that relates force depression to starting length, shortening amplitude and contraction velocity. History parameters were determined from short-range isokinetic experiments on rat medial gastrocnemius muscle (GM). Simulations of isokinetic as well as isotonic experiments were performed with the new model and a standard Hill type model. The simulation results were compared with experimental results of rat GM to evaluate if incorporation of history effects leads to improvements in model predictions. In agreement with the experimental results, the new model qualitatively described force reduction during and after isokinetic shortening as well as the experimental observation that isometric endpoints of isotonic contractions are attained at higher muscle lengths than is expected from the fully isometric length-force curve. Consequently, the new model gave a better quantitative prediction of the experimental results compared to the standard model. It was concluded that incorporation of history effects can improve the predictive power of a Hill type model considerably. The applicability of the model to conditions other than those described in the present paper is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Modelling functional effects of muscle geometry.

Muscle architecture is an important aspect of muscle functioning. Hence, geometry and material properties of muscle have great influence on the force-length characteristics of muscle. We compared experimental results for the gastrocnemius medialis muscle (GM) of the rat to model results of simple geometric models such as a planimetric model and three-dimensional versions of this model. The capabilities of such models to adequately calculate muscle geometry and force-length characteristics were investigated. The planimetric model with elastic aponeurosis predicted GM muscle geometry well: maximal differences are 6, 1, 4 and 6% for fiber length, aponeurosis length, fiber angle and aponeurosis angle respectively. A slanted cylinder model with circular fiber cross-section did not predict muscle geometry as well as the planimetric model, whereas the geometry results of a second slanted cylinder model were identical to the planimetric model. It is concluded that the planimetric model is capable of adequately calculating the muscle geometry over the muscle length range studied. However, for modelling of force-length characteristics more complex models are needed, as none of the models yielded results sufficiently close to experimental data. Modelled force-length characteristics showed an overestimation of muscle optimum length by 2 mm with respect to experimental data, and the force at the ascending limb of the length force curve was underestimated. The models presented neglect important aspects such as non-linear geometry of muscle, certain passive material properties and mechanical interactions of fibers. These aspects may be responsible for short-comings in the modelling. It is argued that, considering the inability to adequately model muscle length-force characteristics for an isolated maximally activated (in situ) muscle, it is to be expected that prediction will fail for muscle properties in conditions of complex movement with many interacting factors. Therefore, modelling goals should be limited to the heuristic domain rather than expect to be able to predict or even approach medical or biological reality. However, the increased understanding about muscular mechanisms obtained from heuristic use of such simple models may very well be used in creating progress in, for example, clinical applications.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1997

Energy storage and release of prosthetic feet. Part 1: Biomechanical analysis related to user benefits.

The energy storing and releasing behaviour of 2 energy storing feet (ESF) and 2 conventional prosthetic feet (CF) were compared (ESF: Otto Bock Dynamic Pro and Hanger Quantum; CF: Otto Bock Multi Axial and Otto Bock Lager). Ten trans-tibial amputees were selected. The study was designed as a double-blind, randomised trial. For gait analysis a VICON motion analysis system was used with 2 AMTI force platforms. A special measuring device was used for measuring energy storage and release of the foot during a simulated step. The impulses of the anteroposterior component of the ground force showed small, statistically non-significant differences (deceleration phase: 22.7-23.4 Ns; acceleration phase: 17.0-18.4 Ns). The power storage and release phases as well as the net results also showed small differences (maximum difference in net result is 0.03 J kg-1). It was estimated that these differences lead to a maximum saving of 3% of metabolic energy during walking. It was considered unlikely that the subjects would notice this difference. It was concluded that during walking differences in mechanical energy expenditure of this magnitude are probably not of clinical relevance. Ankle power, as an indicator for energy storage and release gave different results to the energy storage and release as measured with the special test device, especially during landing response. In the biomechanical model (based on inverse dynamics) used in the gait analysis the deformation of the material is not taken into consideration and hence this method of gait analysis is probably not suitable for calculation of shock absorption.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Energy storage and release of prosthetic feet. Part 2: Subjective ratings of 2 energy storing and 2 conventional feet, user choice of foot and deciding factor.

This paper is the second part of a study on biomechanical and functional properties of prosthetic feet. The first part dealt with a biomechanical analysis related to user benefits. This part deals with subjective ratings and deciding factors for trans-tibial amputees using 2 energy storing feet (ESF) and 2 conventional feet (CF). The Otto Bock Dynamic Pro and Hanger Quantum feet were used as ESF and the Otto Bock Multi Axial and Otto Bock Lager feet were used as CF. Ten trans-tibial amputees, active walkers, without stump problems, were selected (mean age: 49 years old). The study was designed as a double-blind, randomised trial and for each foot there was a habituation period of 2 weeks. Two questionnaires were designed. (A) concerned information about the preference of the subjects and (B) concerned the order of importance of difference aspects concerning a prosthesis. Results indicated that no clear preference for either the ESF or the CF existed and that the individual preference is not related to age. The items 'ability to walk fast' and 'no fatigue during walking', score statistically significantly worse for the CF2. With the small contrast between the ESF and CF, in relation to energy storing capacities, the subjects cannot distinguish between the ESF and CF. The 'absence of stump pain' and 'stability while walking' are ranked as most important aspects concerning a prosthesis. The perception of stability is likely to be related to the level and kind of activities the subject performs.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Stiffness and hysteresis properties of some prosthetic feet.

A prosthetic foot is an important element of a prosthesis, although it is not always fully recognized that the properties of the foot, along with the prosthetic knee joint and the socket, are in part responsible for the stability and metabolic energy cost during walking. The stiffness and the hysteresis, which are the topics of this paper, are not properly prescribed, but could be adapted to improve the prosthetic walking performance. The shape is strongly related to the cosmetic appearance and so can not be altered to effect these improvements. Because detailed comparable data on foot stiffness and hysteresis, which are necessary to quantify the differences between different types of feet, are absent in literature, these properties were measured by the authors in a laboratory setup for nine different prosthetic feet, bare and with two different shoes. One test cycle consisted of measurements of load deformation curves in 66 positions, representing the range from heel strike to toe-off. The hysteresis is defined by the energy loss as a part of the total deformation energy. Without shoes significant differences in hysteresis between the feet exist, while with sport shoes the differences in hysteresis between the feet vanish for the most part. Applying a leather shoe leads to an increase of hysteresis loss for all tested feet. The stiffness turned out to be non-constant, so mean stiffness is used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Artificial Limbs↗