TY - JOUR
T1 - The biomechanical characteristics of a feline distal forelimb
T2 - A finite element analysis study
AU - Wang, Meizi
AU - Song, Yang
AU - Baker, Julien
AU - Fekete, Gusztáv
AU - Ugbolue, Ukadike Chris
AU - Li, Shudong
AU - Gu, Yaodong
N1 - Funding Information:
A British shorthair male cat provided experimental data in this study (aged: 2 years old; weight: 4.7 kg). The cat had no recorded history of any disease or musculoskeletal injury in any of his limbs. During actual data collection on paw pressure, the cat was required to be completely relaxed and to maintain a natural position. The cat was taken to a laboratory environment, for familiarization, 2 h each day, for two days. This was done to enable compliance with instructions since traditionally, cats have difficulty in responding to instructions, especially in an unfamiliar environment. This study was supported by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Ningbo University (NO. 20207016).
Funding Information:
This study was funded by the by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81772423 ), NSFC-RSE Joint Project ( 81911530253 ), and K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University .
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - As a typical digitigrade mammal, the uniquely designed small distal limbs of the feline support two to three times of its body weight during daily movements. To understand how force transmission occurs in relation to the distal joint in a feline limb, which transfers bodyweight to the ground, it is necessary to examine the internal stress distribution of the distal joint limb in detail. Therefore, finite element models (FEM) of a healthy feline were established to predict the internal stress distribution of the distal limb. The FEM model included 23 bony components, various cartilaginous ligaments, as well as the encapsulated soft tissue of the paw. The FEM model was validated by comparison of paw pressure distribution, obtained from an experiment for balance standing. The results demonstrated a good agreement between the experimentally measured and numerically predicted pressure distribution in the feline paw. Additionally, higher stress levels were noted in the metacarpal segment, with smaller stresses observed in the phalanges portion including the proximal, middle, and distal segments. The raised metacarpal segment plays an important role in creating a stiff junction between the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and wrist joint, stabilizing the distal limb. The paw pads help to optimize stress distribution in phalanx region. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of feline distal forelimb biomechanical behavior. This information can be applied to bionic design of footwear since an optimal stiff junction and pressure distribution can be adapted to enhance injury relief and sports activities. Further developments may include progress, evaluation, and treatment of metatarsophalangeal joint injuries in human populations.
AB - As a typical digitigrade mammal, the uniquely designed small distal limbs of the feline support two to three times of its body weight during daily movements. To understand how force transmission occurs in relation to the distal joint in a feline limb, which transfers bodyweight to the ground, it is necessary to examine the internal stress distribution of the distal joint limb in detail. Therefore, finite element models (FEM) of a healthy feline were established to predict the internal stress distribution of the distal limb. The FEM model included 23 bony components, various cartilaginous ligaments, as well as the encapsulated soft tissue of the paw. The FEM model was validated by comparison of paw pressure distribution, obtained from an experiment for balance standing. The results demonstrated a good agreement between the experimentally measured and numerically predicted pressure distribution in the feline paw. Additionally, higher stress levels were noted in the metacarpal segment, with smaller stresses observed in the phalanges portion including the proximal, middle, and distal segments. The raised metacarpal segment plays an important role in creating a stiff junction between the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and wrist joint, stabilizing the distal limb. The paw pads help to optimize stress distribution in phalanx region. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of feline distal forelimb biomechanical behavior. This information can be applied to bionic design of footwear since an optimal stiff junction and pressure distribution can be adapted to enhance injury relief and sports activities. Further developments may include progress, evaluation, and treatment of metatarsophalangeal joint injuries in human populations.
KW - Bionic footwear
KW - Feline distal joint
KW - Feline distal limb
KW - Finite element model
KW - Inner stress distribution
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85097643319&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104174
DO - 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104174
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33338893
AN - SCOPUS:85097643319
SN - 0010-4825
VL - 129
JO - Computers in Biology and Medicine
JF - Computers in Biology and Medicine
M1 - 104174
ER -