Kinematic synthesis of the passive human knee joint by differential evolution and quaternions algebra: A preliminary study

The main aim of this preliminar study was to support the orthopedic surgeon with information about the position of the graft placement of the ACL, using the data provided by a spatial model of the knee. A mathematical model available in the literature and based on the theory of mechanism has been here reimplemented. In particular, the numerical approach to the definition of the model has been modified respect to the original by introducing the quaternion algebra and the differential evolution algorithm. This methodology has already shown to be capable to produce mechanisms that match the natural motion of the knee [8]. Any implementation of it may thus be useful in the preoperative planning with information of the position of the graft placement of the ACL.