Affiliations: Laboratory of Robotics and Mechatronics, DiMSAT, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy | School of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Uberlandia, Campus Santa Monica, Uberlandia/MG, Brazil
Note: [] Corresponding author: M. Ceccarelli, Laboratory of Robotics and Mechatronics, DiMSAT, University of Cassino, Via G. Di Biasio, 43. 03043 Cassino, Italy. E-mail: ceccarelli@unicas.it
Abstract: In this paper a simulation of movements of lumbar spine is proposed by using a model with serially connected parallel manipulators. An analysis has been computed for the human spine structure and its movements, in order to simulate the motions and forces that actuate a spine specifically in the lumbar segment. A mechanical model has been designed with available identified parameters of human spine, by using characteristics of parallel manipulators and spring stiffness. This model is suitable to properly simulate the trunk behavior at macroscopic level but also the smooth behavior of intervertebral discs and actuating motions of muscles and tendons. Simulation results for spring actions and joints reaction forces can give an evaluation of the forces that intervertebral discs supports during motions of a real spine.
Keywords: Biomechanics, model of human spine, simulation
