Annika Sahrmann

• Device design for an automated 3D ultrasound scanning system
• Experimental planning and studies using different measurement technologies (ultrasound imaging, motioncapture, ...)
• Image processing (3D reconstruction of muscle volumes and extraction of fascicles)

Overview

The experimental assessment of morphological characteristics of skeletal muscle can provide valuable insights into the muscle’s functionality as they can be linked to the muscle’s force-generating capacities. Computational models can complement experimental methods by predicting internal and external forces, which can be useful for applications, such as prosthesis fitting or surgery planning. It is beneficial to adapt such models to the appropriate anatomy of the respective patient. Thus, there is a need for patient-specific computational models.

Commonly employed imaging-based methods are capable of obtaining a variety of muscle characteristics, which can serve as an input for computational models. They are, however, restricted either in the ability of illustrating 3D structures or dynamic conditions.

This project aims at developing 3D ultrasound-based methods for the controlled assessment of muscle characteristics, i.e., deformation and muscle architecture, in both static and dynamic conditions, to alleviate the common restrictions and extend the current application domain.