Visualization of muscle function for medical education

We developed a muscle shape model with a view to visualizing muscle functionality for medical education purposes. In our model a muscle is represented by a set of fibers, which run the length of the body of the muscle from origin to insertion. The fiber curves are equipped with contractile and elastic elements and are used as deformation guides that re-shape the muscle surface. This enables us to specify the timing and the level of contraction of a muscle as well as its volume and shape changes. The model can be configured to animate muscles, tendons and ligaments. EMG (electromyography) data have been used to drive the contractile element of the model. We researched and implemented 34 basic skeleton movements and 4 gross motor movements involving 15 joints and over 165 muscles in the human body. Complex bone movements Were based on motion captured data combined with live video reference. We used interactive movies in order to present a bone/muscle action from a wide range of views.