Design and validation of a hip and quadriceps assembly mechanism for a knee squat simulator

Date
2020-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University.
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Given the prevalence of osteoarthritis, knee implants are continuously being improved. In vitro experiments can be used to evaluate the performance of an implant by investigating biomechanical behaviour of the knee joint inside a dynamic knee simulator that reproduces knee loading by inducing a force on the quadriceps muscles. This dissertation deals with the design and verification of such a knee simulator that can autonomously perform a squat motion. Artificial knees were constructed to be tested in the machine, with a posterior stabilised knee implant fixed to it. An optical position sensor was used to track the motion of the knee joint in order to describe the relative motion between components in the joint. Knee kinematics and the quadriceps forces were evaluated and validated against previous literature findings. The knee simulator was proved to deliver repeatable results and the artificial knees demonstrated accurate biomechanical behaviour while performing squat motions.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Knie vervangings word voortdurend verbeter en bestudeer as gevolg van die algemene voorkoms van osteoartritis in die gewrig. In vitro eksperimente kan gebruik word om die werking van knie vervangings te evalueer deur die biomeganiese gedrag van die kniegewrig binne ‘n dinamiese kniesimulator te ondersoek. So ‘n simulator reproduseer die kniebelading deur ‘n krag op die quadriceps-spiere te induseer. Hierdie proefskrik handel oor die ontwerp en verifikasie van so ‘n kniesimulator wat automaties ‘n hurkbeweging kan uitvoer. Kunsmatige knieë met ‘n posterior gestabiliseerde knie-inplantaat is gebou om in die masjien getoets te word. ‘n Optiese posisiesensor is gebruik om die beweging van die kniegewrig te meet sodat die relatiewe beweging tussen komponente in die gewrig beskryf kon word. Knie kinematika en die quadriceps-kragte is geëvalueer en bevestig deur dit met vorige literatuurbevindings te vergelyk. Daar is bewys dat die kniesimulator herhaalbare resultate gelewer het, en dat die kunsmatige knieë akkurate biomeganiese gedrag getoon het terwyl hulle hurkbewegings uitgevoer het binne die simulator.
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Squat -- Simulation methods, Biomechanics, Knee -- Mechanical properties, Genesis II PS implant, Artificial knee -- Movements -- Simulation methods, Orthopedic implants -- Testing, Knee -- Movements -- Simulation methods, Movement detectors, UCTD
Citation