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6 Degree of Freedom Goniometer:
The six-DOF goniometer is composed of 6 one-plane goniometers and
is used to measure tibial movement relative to the femur in three-dimensional
space. Six precision potentiometers with bearings are used to measure
the six-DOF movement of the knee joint. The angle of the potentiometer
corresponds to the voltage output. By measuring the change in voltage,
one can measure the angle of the potentiometer. More on the goniometer
can be found in Challenge #3.
 Photograph
and Film:
Markers can be placed on a subject and then recorded using a video camera.
This can then be digitized and fed into a computer. More about the video-based
system can be found in Challenge #1.
TV computer systems, such as VICON
and Motion Analysis Corp,
use video camera systems to record the position of passive reflective
markers on the subject. Optoelectronic methods, like the OPTOTRAK, use
a position sensitive device to measure small infrared (IRED) position
sensors that are attached to a subject. A pre-calibrated camera system
activates the markers attached to the subject in a certain sequence.
Three position markers are needed to determine the 3D orientation of
a body, however more markers are preferred, since they can be blocked
by movement. The OPTOTRAK position sensor does not pick up interference
from reflections and ambient lighting. More about the Optotrak can be
found in Challenge #2.
Magnetic system:
A magnetic system, such as Flock of Birds (FOB), consists of a transmitter,
reciever, and bus. The transmitter consists of three orthogonal coils
which generate a magnetic field in a certain sequence. The receiver
contains triaxial minicoils to detect the generated magnetic field.
More about the FOB can be found in the FOB LAB
section
Other useful software:
 Poser:
Poser is
a 3D-character animation and design tool for artists and animators.
Users can create images, movies, and posed 3D figures from a diverse
collection of fully articulated 3D human and animal models. Libraries
of pose settings, facial expressions, hand gestures, and swappable clothing
are included as well. Generate movies and 2D graphics from your posed
models for content in web, print and video projects. Check out an example
of what you can do here!
SIMM: The SIMM biomechanics
software suite, developed by Musculographics, Inc. can be used to
model, animate, and analyze a three-dimensional musculoskeletal system.
The advantage of this system is its ability to model simple, one joint
movements or extremely complex actions involving many joints and muscles.
Challenge #1
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