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In Vivo Validation of a Realistic Kinematic Model for the Trapezio-Metacarpal Joint Using an Optoelectronic System

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Abstract

This article analyzes a realistic kinematic model of the trapezio-metacarpal (TM) joint in the human thumb that involves two non-orthogonal and non-intersecting rotation axes. The estimation of the model parameters, i.e. the position and orientation of the two axes with respect to an anatomical coordinate system, was carried out by processing the motion of nine retroreflective markers, externally attached to the hand surface, surveyed by a video motion capture system. In order to compute the model parameters, prototypical circumduction movements were processed within an evolutionary optimization approach. Quality and reproducibility in assessing the parameters were demonstrated across multiple testing sessions on 10 healthy subjects (both left and right thumbs), involving the complete removal of all markers and then retesting. Maximum errors of less than 5 mm in the axis position and less than 6° in the orientation were found, respectively. The inter-subject mean distance between the two axes was 4.16 and 4.71 mm for right and left TM joints, respectively. The inter-subject mean relative orientation between the two axes was about 106 and 113° for right and left TM joints, respectively. Generalization properties of the model were evaluated quantitatively on opposition movements in terms of distance between measured and predicted marker positions (maximum error less than 5 mm). The performance of the proposed model compared favorably with the one (maximum error in the range of 7–8 mm) obtained by applying a universal joint model (orthogonal and intersecting axes). The ability of in vivo estimating the parameters of the proposed kinematic model represents a significant improvement for the biomechanical analysis of the hand motion.

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Notes

  1. Each marking step involved the removal of the markers on the thumb and attachment in approximately the same position specified by the protocol. The person performing the marking procedure was the same across all subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioengineering Department, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    P. Cerveri, E. De Momi, M. Marchente, N. Lopomo & G. Ferrigno

  2. Biomechanics Lab., Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, via di Barbiano, 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    N. Lopomo

  3. Faculty of Psychology, IIT Network Research Unit of Molecular Neuroscience, San Raffaele Foundation, San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, via Olgettina, 58, 20132, Milan, Italy

    G. Baud-Bovy

  4. Faculdade de Educação Física, Laboratório de Instrumentação para Biomecânica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

    R. M. L. Barros

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  1. P. Cerveri
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  2. E. De Momi
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  4. N. Lopomo
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  5. G. Baud-Bovy
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  6. R. M. L. Barros
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  7. G. Ferrigno
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Correspondence to P. Cerveri.

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Cerveri, P., De Momi, E., Marchente, M. et al. In Vivo Validation of a Realistic Kinematic Model for the Trapezio-Metacarpal Joint Using an Optoelectronic System. Ann Biomed Eng 36, 1268–1280 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-008-9499-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-008-9499-7

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