A Fiber-Oriented Muscle Model for Predicting the Soft Tissue Deformation During Muscle Contraction

Abstract

Effective designing of rehabilitation apparatus with high comfort and functionality depends upon the accurate characterization of the shape of the residual limb as well as its volume and shape fluctuations. The active behavior of skeletal muscles, which plays an important role in the interfacial biomechanics of human-machine interaction, is not considered in the current design processes of the rehabilitation apparatus. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the human thigh was proposed to simulate the soft tissue deformation caused by muscle contraction.