Objective
We aim to develop a service to improve the working environment of fields that use computer models of human joints. These fields need high-quality data to perform their tasks correctly. These tasks are, for example: modelling of human joints, prosthesis design, car-crash simulation, medical education, biomedical research. All of these tasks use anatomical and kinematics data, but they all encounter the same problem: no data reflecting the high percentage of morphological variations in the human species is easily available. Frequently only normalised models are produced - hence the real relationships between the morphology and kinematics of a specific subject cannot be foreseen with high accuracy. We propose to develop a database to allow interactive access o a broad range of data of a type not currently available, and to use this to create tutorials on functional anatomy. The data will be made available to Industry, Education and Research.
Objectives:
A source of high-quality data of both morphological and kinematics models of human joints will be created. The data will be collected by novel techniques developed by the proposers. These techniques will allow data to be obtained that is of potential interest in related fields across industry, medical education and research. At present, little accurate or reliable data concerning joint modelling is available, which often leads to simplification. Once created, the data will be available via the Internet to allow users to gain new knowledge on functional anatomy. Raw data will be available for downloading to allow industrial users to improve their own products and competitiveness. The interface will employ state-of-the-art multimedia techniques and 3D simulations in a virtual reality environment to demonstrate joint behaviour. Electronic tutorials will be supplied to help medical staff and students to better understand functional anatomy.
Work description:
The project is divided into several components; these are overlapping and consist of several general tasks described below. The Project Co-ordinator will supervise all aspects of the project and monitor the circulation of the results and data between the partners.
Discussion will take place with potential users throughout the development.
1. COLLECTING THE DATA.
(a) Morphological data will be acquired for bones (including joints), and also for muscles and ligaments. Analysis will be made of a large number of musculo-skeletal structures and a variety of individual morphologies, including female and male subjects of several different ages.
(b) Kinematics data will be collected experimentally in parallel with the morphological data using novel methods.
2. BULDING THE COMPUTER MODELS.
(a) Morphological models will be created using modern 3D reconstruction techniques including geometrical surface modelling and finite element methods.
(b) These models will be animated using the kinematics data (see 1b).
3. DEVELPING THE SERVICE TOOLS.
Two forms of service will be offered to the end user. Industrial users will want access to the raw data (morphological, finite elements, kinematics) - this will be of a quality currently not available. Educational users will have he opportunity to interact with 3D joint models; they will be able to select the level of educational support supplied with these interactively. They will also be able to view tutorials presented by eminent physicians discussing and demonstrating interesting cases and to test their knowledge using on-line "questionnaires".
4. DISSEMINATION.
Demonstrators will be presented to potential users who have expressed interest. They will be invited to a meeting organised as part of the Accompanying Measures Programme.
5. EXPLOITATION.
Exploitation of the data will be performed by an industrial partner for its specific needs and by academic partners for educational and research purposes.
Milestones:
Accurate modelling of joint kinematics will allow us to gain new knowledge and a better understanding of joint behaviour. The quality of the expected results should provide an opportunity to develop unique services (described above) for the potential user. This project will focus on the development, dissemination and the initial exploitation of the complete method and will apply it on the lower limb. Further developments of the database are planned for the future.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineanatomy and morphology
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternet
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationsvirtual reality
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
1050 BRUXELLES
Belgium