A Virtual Reality Based Prototype System of Spinal Kinematics Simulation

Abstract

With the emergence of virtual environments and powerful interfaces between users and computer devices, many practical applications, especially those related to 3-D visualization, can benefit from Virtual Reality based simulation systems. Our research concerns the VR-based presentation of spinal movement and kinematics simulation. We propose a general prototype system implementation and use the concept of object hierarchy as the basis of component generation. Owing to the high complexity of real spinal movement, the biomechanical metrics in our system has been simplified to meet performance requirements with less manual involvement. Three methods, namely the decrement method, the segmented decrement method, and the force decomposition method, are presented to generate angular variations after imposing a force on an object, e.g., a vertebra of spine, in a virtual environment. The first two methods are based chiefly on hypotheses, and they become the guidance of the last method. As a result, users can freely interact with objects in terms of force exertion and observe the spinal movement at any angle in our simulation system. Moreover, our system can provide therapists with a kinematic platform to demonstrate biomechanics and rehabilitation training.