Developing a hybrid experimental-computational framework for designing optimized surgical solutions

尽管经过了几十年的研究，我们仍然不能准确地量化人类膝盖的韧带对关节运动和稳定性的贡献。不幸的是，这种知识的缺乏阻碍了理解健康的关节生物力学或预测疾病、损伤和修复的影响的努力。使用实验技术，我们不可能反复移除、重新安装或重新定位韧带，以便对它们在关节生物力学中的作用进行参数分析。另一方面，计算模型(易于进行参数分析)在准确描述整个关节(包括软骨和半月板)方面存在局限性。*PI研究计划的长期目标是创造关于关节结构生物力学的基础知识，使用混合实验-计算技术，协同结合实验和计算方法的优点，同时克服各自的弱点。该研究计划的短期(五年)目标是更好地了解韧带如何对正常膝关节生物力学做出贡献，使用一种创新的混合关节测试技术进行参数分析，其中真实膝关节由计算机模拟的全参数虚拟韧带稳定和引导。这些虚拟韧带的运动学、缠绕路径和力贡献将使用并行计算模型进行实时计算，并并入控制真实关节运动的机器人系统。这种对关节行为的闭环实验-计算分析和模拟，包括虚拟韧带包裹，从未被演示过。这一目标将通过完成两个具体目标来实现，首先是研究膝关节韧带在正常运动过程中的力-伸长和包裹行为的特征，然后开发一个在体外生物力学实验中精确虚拟膝关节韧带的计算机模型。*这项研究的成果将包括膝关节韧带生物力学的新基础知识，混合关节建模的新技术，以及一个可应用于膝关节损伤、修复和外科创新研究的新平台。这项研究的成果将对自然科学和工程研究产生影响，重点是增强对所有人类关节生物力学的理解，并将为未来实验-计算混合技术的研究奠定基础。这也将对专注于改善膝盖手术患者护理的临床研究产生影响。最后，为参与这项研究的高素质人员提供的跨学科培训机会是完全独特的，HQP开发的技能和专业知识将成为未来工业和学术界职业生涯的宝贵资产。

Despite decades of studies, we still can't quantify precisely how ligaments in human knees contribute to joint motion and stability. Unfortunately, this lack of knowledge hinders efforts to understand healthy joint biomechanics, or predict the effects of disease, injury, and repair. Using experimental techniques, it is impossible for us to repeatedly remove, reinstall, or relocate ligaments in order to parametrically analyze their roles in joint biomechanics. On the other hand, computational models (which readily facilitate parametric analyses) present limitations with respect to an accurate portrayal of the entire joint (including cartilage and meniscus). ******The long-term goal of the PI's research program is to create fundamental knowledge about the structural biomechanics of joints, achieved using hybrid experimental-computational techniques that synergistically combine the strengths of experimental and computational approaches, while overcoming their individual weaknesses. The short-term (five year) goal of this research program is to better understand how ligaments contribute to normal knee joint biomechanics using parametric analyses with an innovative hybrid joint testing technique where real knee joints are stabilized and guided by computer-simulated and fully parametric virtual ligaments. The kinematics, wrapping paths and force contributions of these virtual ligaments will be computed in real time using a parallel computational model, and incorporated back into a robotic system controlling the motion of the real joint. Such closed-loop experimental-computational analysis and simulation of joint behavior, including virtual ligament wrapping, has never been demonstrated. This goal will be achieved through the completion of two specific aims, first focusing on characterization of knee ligament force-elongation and wrapping behaviors during normal knee motions, and then development of a computer model for accurate virtualization of knee ligaments during in vitro biomechanics experiments.******The outcomes of this research will include new fundamental knowledge of knee ligament biomechanics, new techniques for hybrid joint modelling, and a novel platform that can be applied to studies of knee injury, repair, and surgical innovation. The outcomes of this research will impact upon natural science and engineering research focused on an enhanced understanding of the biomechanics of all human joints, and will lay a foundation for future research in hybrid experimental-computational techniques. There will also be an impact upon clinical research focused on improving care of patients undergoing knee surgeries. Finally, the interdisciplinary training opportunities provided to highly qualified personnel involved with this research are entirely unique, and the skills and expertise HQP develop will be valuable assets for future careers in industry and academia.