In vitro dynamic simulation of elbow motion

Abstract

Elbow disorders are a common occurrence; however, our understandings of complex elbow dislocation and the functional anatomy of the elbow joint are still very limited. The efficacy of treatment strategies of this injury is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to create an active elbow simulator using a new paradigm, In vitro joint simulation driven by in vivo motion, to study how elbow injuries affect joint kinematics. The elbow simulator uses an open source program to calculate muscle-tendon lengths based on elbow joint angles. It then uses five actuators to pull cables attached at five muscle attachment points to create a realistic motion of a cadaver arm. By cutting certain tendons, injury can be simulated and kinematics can be compared to the intact arm. Thus, the effects of injuries and their treatments on elbow kinematics can be better understood.