Benjamin D. Robertson

Works (8)

Updated: July 5th, 2023 15:43

2017 journal article

A benchtop biorobotic platform for in vitro observation of muscle-tendon dynamics with parallel mechanical assistance from an elastic exoskeleton

JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 57, 8–17.

By: B. Robertson n, S. Vadakkeveedu n & G. Sawicki n

author keywords: Biomechanics; Elastic exoskeleton; Muscle-tendon mechanics; Unconstrained work loops; Biorobotics
MeSH headings : Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Elasticity; Gravitation; Locomotion / physiology; Muscle, Skeletal / physiology; Ranidae; Robotics / instrumentation; Tendons / physiology
TL;DR: Findings from this study suggest that the increased natural resonant frequency of the artificially stiffened MTU+Exo system, along with invariant movement frequencies, may underlie observed limits on the benefits of exoskeleton assistance. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

2015 article

More is not always better: Modeling the effects of elastic exoskeleton compliance on underlying ankle muscle-tendon dynamics (vol 9, 046018, 2014)

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, Vol. 10.

By: B. Robertson, D. Farris & G. Sawicki

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

2015 journal article

Timing matters: tuning the mechanics of a muscle-tendon unit by adjusting stimulation phase during cyclic contractions

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, 218(19), 3150–3159.

By: G. Sawicki n, B. Robertson n, E. Azizi * & T. Roberts *

author keywords: Muscle-tendon interaction; Muscle stimulation phase; Work loop; Elastic energy storage and return; Terrestrial locomotion
MeSH headings : Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Locomotion / physiology; Muscle Contraction / physiology; Muscle, Skeletal / physiology; Rana catesbeiana / physiology; Tendons / physiology
TL;DR: During cyclic contractions of a muscle–tendon unit, the timing of muscle stimulation onset determines whether the muscle acts like a force producing strut, energy generating motor or energy absorbing brake. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

2015 journal article

Unconstrained muscle-tendon workloops indicate resonance tuning as a mechanism for elastic limb behavior during terrestrial locomotion

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112(43), E5891–5898.

By: B. Robertson & G. Sawicki

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

2014 journal article

Exploiting elasticity: Modeling the influence of neural control on mechanics and energetics of ankle muscle-tendons during human hopping

JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY, 353, 121–132.

By: B. Robertson n & G. Sawicki n

author keywords: Plantarflexors; Locomotion; Muscle mechanics; Metabolic cost; Elastic mechanisms
MeSH headings : Ankle / physiology; Basal Metabolism; Biomechanical Phenomena; Elasticity; Energy Metabolism / physiology; Humans; Models, Biological; Motor Activity / physiology; Muscle Contraction / physiology; Muscle, Skeletal / physiology; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; Tendons / physiology
TL;DR: Frequency and amplitude of stimulation both played integral roles in determining CE F-L operating point, with both higher frequency and amplitude generally corresponding to lower CE strains, reduced injury risk, and elimination of the need for passive force generation in the CE parallel elastic element (PEE). (via Semantic Scholar)
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Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

2014 journal article

More is not always better: modeling the effects of elastic exoskeleton compliance on underlying ankle muscle-tendon dynamics

BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS, 9(4).

By: B. Robertson*, D. Farris n & G. Sawicki*

author keywords: elastic ankle exoskeleton; muscle-tendon interaction; mechanics; energetics; hopping; ultrasound
MeSH headings : Biomimetics / instrumentation; Computer Simulation; Computer-Aided Design; Elastic Modulus / physiology; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Humans; Man-Machine Systems; Models, Biological; Movement / physiology; Muscle Contraction / physiology; Muscle, Skeletal / physiology; Orthotic Devices; Robotics / instrumentation; Tendons / physiology
TL;DR: A simple, predictive model of human neuromechanical adaptation to a passive elastic exoskeleton applied at the ankle joint during a functional task concluded that both of these outcomes cannot be achieved simultaneously, and that one must come at the detriment of the other in a spring-assisted compliant MTU. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

2013 journal article

Elastic ankle exoskeletons reduce soleus muscle force but not work in human hopping

JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, 115(5), 579–585.

By: D. Farris n, B. Robertson n & G. Sawicki n

author keywords: ultrasound; fascicle; tendon; metabolic power; plantar flexors
MeSH headings : Adult; Ankle / physiology; Ankle Joint / physiology; Electromyography / methods; Energy Metabolism / physiology; Humans; Leg / physiopathology; Male; Muscle, Skeletal / physiology; Tendons / physiology; Walking / physiology
TL;DR: The findings highlighted that parallel assistance to a muscle with appreciable series elasticity may have some negative consequences, and that the metabolic cost associated with generating force may be more pronounced than the cost of doing work for these muscles. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Source: Web Of Science
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2011 conference paper

Influence of parallel spring-loaded exoskeleton on ankle muscle-tendon dynamics during simulated human hopping

2011 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 583–586.

By: B. Robertson n & G. Sawicki n

MeSH headings : Achilles Tendon / physiology; Ankle Joint / physiology; Computer Simulation; Humans; Locomotion / physiology; Models, Biological; Muscle Contraction / physiology; Muscle, Skeletal / physiology; Orthotic Devices; Robotics / methods; Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods
TL;DR: It is found that, in most cases, uniform cyclic mechanical power production of the coupled system is achieved and unassisted power production can be reproduced throughout parameter space by trading off decreases in muscle activation with increases in ankle exoskeleton spring stiffness. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

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