A linked-plane obstacle-set algorithm for modeling broad muscle paths : application to the deltoid muscle.
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Abstract
Computer modeling is commonly used to simulate muscle paths for the study of human biomechanics. Because some muscles, such as broad muscles, have complex morphology, modeling the paths of these muscles can be challenging. The aim of this study is to develop a new algorithm that quickly and realistically models the wrapping paths of broad muscles. The algorithm treats the muscle as a series of elastic bands wrapping around sphere-shaped obstacles. Each band is constrained to lie in its own plane and wrap around its own sphere. Each band plane forms a given angle with respect to the adjacent band plane, with the first band plane forming an optimized angle with respect to a fixed reference plane. The optimization seeks to minimize the sum total of all band lengths. The new algorithm accounts for tissue connectivity between muscle fibers in broad muscles, and can reproduce realistic muscle moment arm simulations.