Interdisciplinary Initiatives Program Round 2 – 2002

Garry Gold, Radiology
Leonidas Guibas, Computer Science
Amy Ladd, Functional Restoration
Scott Delp, Mechanical Engineering
Ronald Fedkiw, Computer Science

Computer simulations are widely used to study musculoskeletal systems, plan surgical procedures, and design biomedical devices. However, these simulations are limited in that they simplify muscles from three-dimensional deformable bodies to single lines of action, This simplification severely inhibits the ability for these models to represent muscles with complex geometry and muscles in contact with one another. In this project, we are using advanced medical imaging technology and new computer algorithms to now represent muscles as complex three-dimensional structures. These new models will greatly expand the utility of computer simulations of the musculoskeletal system.