InterEGR 301- Engineering and Biology: Technological Symbiosis Bionics Module Study Guide 1.

Know the different types of performance enhancement and the factors that limit human performance a. Performance enhancement (Natural to synthetic) i. Exercise ii. Drugs iii. Passive assist devices iv. Powered systems b. Biological constraints i. Biomechanic limitations 1. Bone geometry and number 2. Muscle types 3. Muscle insertion points ii. Tissues have different abilities to remodel and adapt 1. Bone and muscle can remodel easily but connective tissues cant (tendons ligaments may tear) 2. Performance is dependent upon weakest elements 2. Know how muscle contraction occurs and how muscle fibers are arranged/configured in the body a. Hierarchal structure i. Whole muscle ii. Fascicle iii. Fiber iv. Myofibril v. Sarcomere b. Motor Units i. Single motor neuron and all associated muscle fibers 1. Generates large forces quickly 2. Eliminates energy needed to maintain and coordinate activity of extra neurons ii. Innervation ratio: number of fibers per motor unit c. Pennation i. Direction of individual contractions vs overall direction of contraction d. Muscle grouping i. Actuators 1. Series: Longer functional rangers and faster overall contraction velocities 2. Parallel: stronger contractile forces 3. Know the essential components of prosthetic devices and what the performance goals are for each type of component a. Biosensors i. Mechanical 1. Input=direct user activation or changes in mechanical properties

2. Body powered: Harness system powered by body movement 3. Remote controlled: switches activate motorized prosthesis, shoe sensor 4. Ultrasonic Muscle: senses changes in stiffness of muscle from transducer on skin 5. Mechanomyographic (MMG): muscle sound ii. Myoelectric 1. Changes in electrical properties of muscles, sensors detect sarcolemma depolarization 2. Must have intact nerves iii. Peripheral Nervous System 1. Sieve electrode: nerves grow through iv. Central Nervous System 1. Can detect desired movement b. Actuators i. Definition: Receives signal (electrical, chemical, optical) and amplifies through power source to produce kinetic energy (physical motion) ii. Electromagnetic 1. Servo motors, Solonoids 2. Produces a displacement iii. Electroactive polymer 1. Voltage potential applied across the two electrodes, attractive force squishes polymer, expansion can be used to do work iv. Piezoelectic 1. Material generates voltage in response to stress v. Pnuematic 1. Uses pressurized gas to generate movement 2. Air muscle vi. Contractile polymer 1. Polymer chains contract in length in response to changes in pH c. Controllers i. Translate biosignals into appropriate output signals d. Feedback i. Existing sensory path ii. Sensory substitution 1. Electrotactile tongue stimulation, mechanical stimulation, targeted sensory reinnervation iii. New sensory path 1. Use CNS or PNS interfaces to feed sensory info directly to the brain e. Power know the different types and how they work i. Li-Ion batteries ii. Fuel 1. Fuel cell 2. Biofuel 4. Know the factors limiting prosthetic device performance a. Passive assist dependent on kinetic input

b. Replication of human movements not feasible, Performance/degrees of freedom vs size/weight/energy demands i. Cant build superhuman prosthetic that is compact, light enough for comfortable wear c. Power problems i. Ideal design: Large capacity(long run time), high energy density (mobility, small size), light weight ii. Current battery tech need higher energy density iii. Reduce power demands of prosthetic components, more efficient components, move away from continuous power 5. Be able to discuss what we can learn by studying biological systems and how our engineering knowledge/training could help us better understand biological systems a. Can learn a lot about maximizing performance and efficiency because evolution has designed many elegant systems i. Study innate biomechanics of an organism and let that system influence prosthetic design 1. Structural components: a. Shape of elements b. Configuration of rigid elements c. Actuator attachment points 2. Actuation strategies a. Match actuators to desired performance b. Engineer best arrangement (grouping, linkages, configuration) c. Group to minimize energy demands, trade off with motor control b. Design to be robust and efficient i. Simpler ii. Exploit synergy to decrease wasted energy iii. Semi-passive: increase efficiency 6. Read the article recommended by Prof. Thelen at the end of the OpenSIM lectures. A portion of the questions on the exam will test your basic knowledge of the information we have presented so far. However, we are most interested in assessing your ability to identify the synergies and conflicts when combining engineering and biological systems using the information you have learned in this module.