OpenSim: Simulating musculoskeletal dynamics and neuromuscular control to study human and animal movement
Fig 8
OpenSim supports design and analysis of implantable devices to restore grasp for those with paralysis.
In current practice, individuals with partial paralysis of the upper limb receive tendon transfer surgeries to reconnect the tendons that facilitate finger movement to a non-paralyzed donor muscle. Homayouni and colleagues [14] are designing implantable devices to improve outcomes of traditional, suture-based tendon transfer. In one design (A), the single-suture attachment is replaced with an artificial tendon network. In a second design (B), a lever mechanism replaces the suture to more evenly distribute forces between the digits. The investigators used OpenSim to model the traditional suture-based surgery and each proposed design, and simulated a grasping motion. The implantable devices (green and blue) achieved greater finger flexion (C) than the traditional suture-based surgery (black). Adapted from Homayouni et al. [14].