Realizable Models of Muscle Function

The work presented in this chapter is based on contributions by several engineers associated with this study over the past four years; particularly E. L. Morrison, Jr., James R. Wait, and Ronald L. Brown. The original interest was generated by J. L. McKibben who utilized a helically woven structure to develop a prosthesis for his daughter, a victim of polio. The concept of an elastic diaphragm using both linear and axially wound fibers is described in a U. S. patent issued to Alexander Morin in 1953. Our work on mathematical models of muscle-like devices and their applications is described in three Air Force technical documentary reports, * and this presentation is intended to summarize this effort.