Page 13 - Handbook of Biomechatronics

6 Ahmed R. Arshi

providestheconstitutiveequationsdescribingphysicalcharacteristicsofboththe
softandhardtissues.Theconstitutiveequationforasofttissueforexample,could
describe the organ characteristics using a psuedoviscoelastic approach.
Biomechatronic specialists, on the other hand, might be required to
mimic biological systems. Biomechanics as a pillar of biomimetics is not sim-
ply the application of mechanical principles to biological systems. The con-
cept has far reaching implications as the nature of biological systems dictate a
more complex version of basic fundamental principles. Nonhomogenous
anisotropic composite tissues with elastic properties modulated by age,
sex, and pathological or environmental factors create exceptional challenges.
The traditional engineering principles, in isolation, might therefore fail to
provide convincing designs for the interface between biomechatronic and
physiological systems.
This is where the biomechatronic specialist makes an inspiring contribu-
tion to engineering sciences; and this contribution can be best manifested at
the design stage.

2 FUSION OF BIO AND MECHATRONICS

An energetically optimized solution to fusion of physiological and
mechatronic systems relies heavily on the design of interfaces. Design of
an interface will have to embrace biocompatible combinations of mechan-
ical, electromagnetic, electronic, optical, and audio systems. The interface of
such systems with the intended physiological system is growing in sophisti-
cation. The newly developed robotic systems imitate horse movements used
in hippotherapy or therapeutic riding, taking advantage of the dynamic
input by the horse, to the human neuromuscular system. This is achieved
through simulation of three-dimensional mechanical inputs exerted to
human upper extremity during horse gait. In other instances, continuously
developing retina tracking systems used in transportation or military systems
represent a prime example of an effective interface. Here, the contributions
made by subjects such as man-machine interface and optomechatronics have
made biomechatronics even richer in content. Fusion of bio and
mechatronics should further address biocompatibility guidelines to ensure
complete functionality and reliability.
Fusion of biomechatronic systems with human body has roots in four
areas of manipulation, locomotion, sensory interactions, and finally
processing and control.