Biomechanics

Nirjhar Dhang Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

What is Biomechanics?
Biomechanics is the science that examines forces acting upon and within a biological structure and effects produced by such forces.

1 2 3

Skull Ears Throat

22 6 1

4
5

Vertebral Column
Thorax

26
25

6 7

Upper extremity Lower extremity

Total

64 62
206

Skull
Cranium Cranial bones

22 21 8 frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid nasal (2), maxilla (2), lacrimal (2), zygomatic (2), palatine (2), vomer, inferior nasal conchae(2) Mandible

Facial bones

13

Mandible

Ears
Throat

6
1

Malleus,Incus,Stapes
Hyoid

Vertebral Column Cervical vertebrae Thoracic vertebrae Lumbar vertebrae Sacrum Coccyx

26 7 12 C1,C2,C3,C4,C5.C6,C7 T1,T2,T3,T4,T5,T6,T7,T8, T9,T10,T11,T12 L1,L2,L3,L4,L5

5
1 1

Thorax

25

Sternum(1), Ribs(24)

Upper Extremity Shoulder Girdle Arms

64 4 6 Scapula(2),Clavicle(2) Humerus (2) Radius (2) Ulna(2)

Hands
Carpals

54
16 Scaphoid(2),Lunate(2), Triquetrum(2),Pisiform(2), Trapezium(2),Trapezoid(2), Capitate(2),Hamate(2) Proximal Phalanges (10),

Metacarpals 10 Phalanges 28

Lower Extremity Pelvis Legs

62 02 08 two coxal bones each consisting of ilium, ischium and pubis Femur(2), Patella(2), Tibia(2), Fibula(2)

Feet

52
Calcaneus, Talus, Navicular bone, Medial cuneiform bone, Intermediate cuneiform bone, Lateral cuneiform bone, Cuboidal bone

Tarsals (14) 14

Metatarsals

10

Mechanics of Human Gait

Running
Flight phase
One foot takes off before the other lands The rear foot takes off before the front foot lands

Walking
Feet overlapping
One foot lands up before the other foot takes off

The heel of the front foot must touch the ground before the toe of the rear foot is lifted

Normal Walking
Equilibrium :
the ability to assume an upright posture and maintain balance.

Locomotion :
the ability to initiate and maintain rhythmic stepping

Gait disorder
Due to pain
Paralysis Damage of tissues Loss of motor control

Why study normal gait?

One must have sound knowledge of the characteristics of normal gait so that the deviations from the normal gait is accurately detected and interpreted.

Gait Terminology
Step Length
Distance from one foot strike to the next, i.e. left to right OR right to left

Gait Terminology
Stride Length
Distance between two successive placements of the same foot, i.e. two successive steps ( by both left and right feet)

Gait Cycle

Gait Terminology
Stance : period when the foot is in contact with the ground ( 60-62% of gait cycle)
Swing : period when the foot is off the ground (about 38-40% of gait cycle) Double Support : period when both feet are on the ground (10-12% of gait cycle)

Phases of Gait Cycle

Inverse dynamics
Movement is the input parameter. Muscle forces is output. The problem can be cast into very computationally efficient forms. Difficult to take activation dynamics into account. Disregards certain dynamic effects such as wobbly masses. Must assume that movements are voluntary and skilled.

Inverse problem
A + B =5 For positive integers, the solutions are : A = 1, B = 4 A = 2, B = 3 A = 3, B = 2 A = 4, B = 1

Inverse problem
A+B=5 Which solution is acceptable? A = 1, B = 4 A is least positive odd A = 2, B = 3 A is least positive even A = 3, B = 2 B is least positive even A = 4, B = 1 B is least positive odd