Dynamic Function of Multi-Articular Joints in the Foot and Ankle

人类的脚是一个非常复杂的多关节结构，可以支撑巨大的重量，同时无缝地适应地形的变化。脚由26块骨头、33个关节、20块肌肉和100多条韧带组成，它能够调节自己的硬度，成为一个移动的适配器、一个刚性的杠杆，或者介于两者之间。由于其复杂性，人们还不能完全理解足部在奔跑、跳跃甚至行走等高要求活动中是如何完成其许多功能的。我们建议利用一种独特的方法，结合高速骨骼成像，让我们在脚运动时看到脚的内部。本提案的目的是了解足弓是如何工作的，并提高我们使用高速骨骼成像技术研究多关节关节的能力。***高速骨骼成像包括拍摄关节复合体的x射线电影，并使用这些信息以及3D表面模型来动画一个活人的骨骼运动，因为他们执行苛刻的任务。同时，我们的方法还将同步的全身动作捕捉数据（通过在受试者身上放置反射标记获得）与x射线数据相结合。同时捕获这些数据使我们能够在测量整个身体运动的同时看到足部骨骼的运动。这种方法将使我们了解足部在人体运动中的作用。在这个为期五年的计划中，我们将研究足弓，并质疑一个普遍的假设，即它的行为就像一个弹簧。同时，我们将开发方法使我们能够以最小的电离辐射捕捉特定活动，从而最大限度地保障受试者和工作人员的安全。我们还将开发数值方法，以非常精确地跟踪足部的小而密集的骨头。这项工作的结果将使我们了解足部的适应如何为人类提供了进化优势。我们的研究结果也将为工程师们提供信息，使他们能够设计出更好地模仿足部功能的假肢。我们在追踪小而致密的骨骼方面所取得的进步将使我们和其他人能够研究人类和动物的其他复杂关节系统。最后，该项目的协作性、跨学科性质将为高素质人才提供丰富的培训环境

The human foot is an amazingly complicated multi-articular structure that can support tremendous weight, while at the same time seamlessly adapting to changes in terrain. Consisting of twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints, twenty muscles, and over one hundred ligaments, the foot is able to adjust its stiffness to become a mobile adapter, a rigid lever, or something in between. Because of its complexity, it is not fully understood exactly how the foot accomplishes its many functions during demanding activities like running, hopping, or even walking. We propose to utilize a unique approach coupled with High-Speed Skeletal Imaging to allow us to look inside the foot while it is moving. The purpose of this proposal is to understand how the arch of the foot works, as well as improve our ability to study multi-articular joints using High-Speed Skeletal Imaging technologies.***High-Speed Skeletal Imaging consists of taking X-Ray movies of a joint complex and using this information along with a 3D surface model to animate bone motion of a living person as they perform demanding tasks. Concurrently, our method also combines synchronized full body motion capture data, acquired by placing reflective markers on the subject, to the X-Ray data. Capturing these data simultaneously allows us to see how the bones in the foot move while measuring motion of the entire body. This method will allow us to understand the foot's role in human locomotion. In this five-year proposal, we will study the arch of the foot and question a common assumption that it behaves as a spring. Simultaneously, we will develop methods that allow us to capture specific activities with minimal ionizing radiation, which maximizes the safety of our subjects and staff. We will also develop numerical methods to track the small, close-packed bones in the foot with great accuracy. ***The results of this work will allow us to learn how adaptations in the foot provided an evolutionary advantage to humans. Our results will also provide Engineers with information that allows them to design prosthetics that better mimic the foot's function. The improvements we make in tracking small, close-packed bones will allow us and others to study other complex joint systems in humans and animals. Finally, the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of this program will provide a rich training environment for highly qualified personnel.**