Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
Neuromuscular systems and sensorimotor control, biomechanics, computational methods, human dexterous manipulation.
Office: RTH 402
Phone: 213-821-2084
Fax: 213-821-3897
Email:
valero@usc.edu
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed Articles
Peer-reviewed Full-length Abstracts
Book Chapters
Invited Symposia
Peer-reviewed Conference Abstracts
Abstracts
Peer-reviewed Articles:
Keenan K and FJ Valero-Cuevas. Experimentally-valid predictions of muscle force and EMG in models of motor unit function are most sensitive to neural properties. J Neurophysiol (July 5, 2007). Electronic pre-print doi:10.1152/jn. 00577.2007. PDF (2.14 MB)
Clewley R, Guckenheimer J, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Estimating effective degrees of freedom in motor systems. IEEE transactions on Biomedical Engineering. (In Press) PDF (2,476 Kb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Anand K, Saxena, A, Lipson H. Beyond parameter estimation: Extending biomechanical modeling by the explicit exploration of model topology. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (In Review).
Venkadesan M, Guckenheimer J, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Manipulating the edge of instability. J Biomech. 2007; 40 (8):1653-61. Epub 2007 Apr 2. PDF (1,309 Kb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Yi JW, Brown D, McNamara RV 3rd, Paul C, Lipson H. The tendon network of the fingers performs anatomical computation at a macroscopic scale. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2007 Jun; 54 (6 Pt 2):1161-6. PDF (1,082 Kb).
Paul C, Lipson H, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Control of locomotive tensegrity robots. IEEE Transactions on Robotics. 2006: 22 (5):pp944 - 957, PDF ( 3,521 Kb).
Santos VJ and Valero-Cuevas FJ. Reported anatomical variability naturally leads to multimodal distributions of Denavit-Hartenberg parameters for the human thumb. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. 2006, 53(2): 155- 163, PDF (866 Kb).
Talati A, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Hirsch J. Visual and Tactile Guidance of Dexterous Manipulation Tasks: an fMRI Study. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 2005, 101: 317-334, PDF (1,431 Kb)
Miller A, Allen P, Santos V.J, Valero-Cuevas FJ, From robotic hands to human hands:
a visualization and simulation engine for grasping research, Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 32/Number 1 (2005) 55–63, PDF (442 Kb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ, An integrative approach to the biomechanical function and neuromuscular control of the fingers, Journal of Biomechanics, 2005:38(4): p.673-84, PDF (381 Kb). ASB Post-Doctoral Young Scientist Award paper.
Kuxhaus L, Roach, SS, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Quantifying deficits in the 3D force capabilities of a digit caused by selective paralysis: application to the thumb with simulated low ulnar
nerve palsy. Journal of Biomechanics, 2005:38(4): p. 725-36, PDF (435 Kb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Johanson, ME, and Towles, JD. Towards a realistic biomechanical model of the thumb: The choice of kinematic description may be more critical than the solution method or the variability/uncertainty of musculoskeletal parameters. Journal of Biomechanics, 2003:36(7): p. 1019-1030. PDF (722 Kb)
Jonathan L. Pearlman, Stephanie S. Roach, and Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas, The fundamental thumb-tip force vectors produced by the muscles of the thumb Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2004 22 : 306-312. PDF (348Kb)
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Smaby N, Venkadesan M, Peterson M and Wright T, The strength-dexterity test as a measure of dynamic pinch performance. J Biomech. 2003 36(2):265-270. PDF (224Kb)
Valero-Cuevas FJ and Hentz VR, Releasing the A3 pulley and leaving flexor superficialis intact increase palmar force following the Zancolli lasso procedures to prevent claw deformity in the intrinsic minus hand. J Orthop Res. 2002 20(5):902-909. PDF (280Kb).
*See the Supplemental Web Material for this article here
Johanson ME, Valero-Cuevas FJ and Hentz VR, Activation patterns of the thumb muscles during stable and unstable pinch tasks. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2001 26:698-705. PDF (170Kb)
Authors:
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Towles JD and Hentz VR, Quantification of fingertip force reduction in the forefinger following simulated paralysis of extensor and intrinsic muscles. J Biomech 2000 33(12):1601-1609.PDF (283Kb).
*See the Supplemental Web Material for this article here.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Applying principles of robotics to understand the biomechanics, neuromuscular control and clinical rehabilitation of human digits. Proceedings of the 2000 IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation (2000). pp 255-262. PDF (624Kb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Predictive modulation of muscle coordination pattern magnitude scales fingertip force magnitude over the voluntary range. J Neurophysiol 2000 83(3):1469-1479. PDF (197Kb).
*Related papers.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE and Burgar CB, Large index-fingertip forces are produced by subject-independent patterns of muscle excitation. J Biomech. 1998 31(8):693-703. PDF (268Kb)
*Related papers.
Burgar CG, Valero-Cuevas FJ and Hentz VR, Fine-wire electromyographic recording during force generation. Application to index finger kinesiologic studies. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1997 76(6):494-501. PDF (907Kb)
Valero-Cuevas FJ and Small CF, Load dependence in carpal kinematics during wrist flexion in vivo. Clin Biomech, 1997 12(3):154-159. PDF (418Kb)
Peer-reviewed Full-length Abstracts:
Santos, V. J. and Valero-Cuevas, F. J, A Bayesian approach to biomechanical modeling to optimize over large parameter spaces while considering anatomical variability. Proceedings of the 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, San Francisco, CA, Sept. 2004. PDF (65Kb)
Miller A, Allen P, Santos VJ, and Valero-Cuevas FJ, From robotic hands to human hands: A visualization and simulation engine for grasping research, Proc. of the International Conference on Intelligent Manipulation and Grasping, Genoa, Italy (In review), PDF (1.23 Mb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ and Lipson H, Measurement and simulation of neuromuscular biomechanics of the fingers. Proceedings of the 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS (In press).
Pearlman JL and Valero-Cuevas FJ. The 3d thumb-tip forces produced by individual tendons do not superimpose linearly. Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS. 2003. p. 1819-22.
Valero-Cuevas FJ. Applying principles of robotics to understand the biomechanics, neuromuscular control and clinical rehabilitation of human digits. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. 2000. Pages 270-5.
Book Chapters:
Valero-Cuevas FJ. A mathematical approach to the mechanical capabilities of limbs and fingers. Progress in Motor Control V. 2006. (In press)PDF (2,333Kb)
Chang J, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Hentz VR and Chase R. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the hand. In Atlas of Plastic Surgery. Hentz VR and Chase R, editors. (Mosby, In press).
Invited Symposia
Venkadesan M, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Guckenheimer JM. The Boundary of instability as a powerful experimental paradigm for understanding complex dynamical sensorimotor behavior: Dexterous manipulation as an example. In Advances in Computational Motor Control II. Symposium at the 33th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. New Orleans, LA, 2003.
Peer-reviewed Conference Abstracts:
Santos, V. J. and Valero-Cuevas, F. J. Thumb kinematics with non-orthogonal and nonintersecting axes of rotation may be necessary to predict realistic isometric thumbtip forces in multiple directions. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Portland, OR, Sept. 2004, PDF (55 Kb).
Valero-Cuevas FJ and Todorov E. Task-dependent variability in human hand EMG: Evidence for optimal feedback control at the muscle level. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Toledo, OH. 2003.
Santos VJ and Valero-Cuevas FJ. Stochastic analysis of anatomical data suggests three characteristic kinematic descriptions of the thumb. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Toledo, OH. 2003.
Venkadesan M, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Guckenheimer JM. The dynamic sensorimotor regulation of fingertip force vectors is independent of hand strength. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Toledo, OH. 2003.
Pearlman, JL, Weisman M, Roach, SS, Hermanson, JW, Valero-Cuevas, FJ. The Fundamental thumb-tip force vectors produced by the muscles of the thumb. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Toledo, OH. 2003.
Kuxhaus LC, Valero-Cuevas FJ, and Roach SS, Effect of simulated low ulnar nerve palsy on the 3D force production capabilities of the thumb. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Toledo, OH. 2003.
Kuxhaus, LC, Pearlman JL, Weisman M, and Valero-Cuevas FJ. Predicting thumb force changes with ulnar nerve impairment. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Toledo, OH. 2003.
Santos VJ and Valero-Cuevas FJ. Anatomical variability naturally leads to multimodal distributions of Denavit-Hartenberg parameters for the human thumb. Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. 2003, PDF (46 Kb).
Pearlman, JL, Weisman M, Roach, SS, Hermanson, JW, Valero-Cuevas, FJ. Thumb-tip force vectors produced by individual muscles of the thumb do not superimpose linearly. Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. 2003.
Kuxhaus LC, Valero-Cuevas FJ, and Roach SS. Effect of simulated low ulnar nerve palsy on the 3D force production capabilities of the thumb. Upstate Medical University Alumni Day, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 2003.
Santos VJ and Valero-Cuevas FJ. Stochastic analysis of anatomical data suggests three characteristic types of thumb kinematics. Proceedings of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Summer Bioengineering Conference, Key Biscayne, FL. 2003.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ, Smaby, N, Venkadesan, M, Pretz, J, Ramakrishna, K,
Wilson, N, Skaliotis, J, and Peterson, M. The strength-dexterity test as a measure of dynamic pinch performance. Neural Control of Movement Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, 2003.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Venkadesan, M, Talati, A Hirsch J. How networks of cortical activity adapt in response to changes in the type and quality of sensory input during dynamic precision pinch. Neural Control of Movement Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, 2003.
Todorov E and Valero-Cuevas FJ. Task-dependent variability in human hand EMG: Evidence for optimal feedback control at the muscle level. (By invitation) Neural Control of Movement Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, 2003.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Venkadesan, M, Talati, A Hirsch J. How networks of cortical activity adapt in response to changes in the type and quality of sensory input during dynamic precision pinch. The Second World Congress of Biomechanics, Calgary, Alberta, 2002.
Hirsch J, Talati A, Valero-Cuevas FJ. A Vision-to-Action Cortical Pathway: An fMRI Study. Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO 2002), Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2002.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Smaby N, Venkadesan M, Peterson M, Wright T, Hotchkiss R. Sherry Backus, Lily A. Ariola. The Strength-Dexterity test as a measure of pinch performance in hands with able and osteoarthritic thumbs. 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Baltimore, MD, 2002.
Sancho X, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Pérez A, Giurintano D, Vergara M, Sánchez F. Modelling the MCP joint in a biomechanical model of the index finger. Fifth International symposium on computer methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Rome, Italy, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ, Abrams, R, Cole, K, Hentz, VR. Optimizing hand surgery: How basic concepts in neuromuscular biomechanics are changing the evaluation of hand function & the design of surgical procedures. 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Baltimore, MD, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ, Towles, JD, Johanson, ME. Simulating anatomical variations in the thumb: Effect on maximal force and muscle activation. Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. San Diego, CA, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ, Smaby, N, Venkadesan, M, Pretz, J, Ramakrishna, K,
Wilson, N, Skaliotis, J, and Peterson, M. The strength-dexterity test as a measure of pinch performance in the able and impaired hand. Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. San Diego, CA, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ and Hentz, VR. Releasing the A3 pulley and leaving flexor superficialis intact increase palmar force following the Zancolli lasso procedures to prevent claw deformity in the intrinsic minus hand. 7th International Conference on Tetraplegia: Surgery and Rehabilitation. Bologna, Italy, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ and Hentz, VR. Releasing the A3 pulley and leaving flexor superficialis intact increase palmar force following the Zancolli lasso procedures to prevent claw deformity in the intrinsic minus hand. Meeting of the International Federation of Societies of Surgery of the Hand. Istanbul, Turkey, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ. Applying principles of robotics to understand the biomechanics, neuromuscular control and clinical rehabilitation of human digits. Meeting of the International Federation of Societies of Surgery of the Hand. Istanbul, Turkey, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas, FJ. Applying principles of robotics to understand the biomechanics, neuromuscular control and clinical rehabilitation of human digits. Fourth Triennial Hand and Wrist Biomechanics Symposium. Izmir, Turkey, 2001.
Towles, JD, Murray, W, Valero-Cuevas, FJ, Zajac, FE. Influence of flexor pollicis longus muscle's joint moments on the direction and magnitude of its thumb-tip force. 6th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society. Cleveland, OH, 2001.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Towles, JD, Hentz, VR. Quantification of maximal fingertip force in cadaver- simulated peripheral nerve injuries. Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. Pittsburgh, PA, 1999.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Towles, JD, Hentz, VD. Quantification of maximal fingertip force in cadaver- simulated peripheral nerve injuries. 17th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1999.
Valero-Cuevas FJ. The predicted mechanical capabilities of the fingers are compromised if the metacarpophalangeal joint is assumed to have an independent supination-pronation axis. Third Triennial Hand and Wrist Biomechanics Symposium, Minneapolis, MN, 1998.
Towles, JD, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Johanson ME, Zajac FE. Six kinematic models of the human thumb suggest that published physiological cross-sectional areas of thumb muscles are underestimated, North American Congress on Biomechanics, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ. Implications of metacarpophalangeal joint kinematics to the force production capabilities of a 3D index-finger model, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, Sun River, OR, 1997. By Invitation.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Van der Loos HFM, Burgar CG, Zajac FE. Robotic flexible fixturing for clinical and experimental studies in biomechanics and rehabilitation, RESNA '97 Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, 1997.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Burgar CG, Zajac FE, Hentz VR, McGill KC, An KN. Index finger coordination during ad-abduction forces may be explained by three degrees of freedom at MCP joint, Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1996.
Moore JA, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Small CF. Effect of load on wrist joints kinematics, 18th. Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1992.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Small CF. Joint impedance in the development of a model of wrist joint function, The Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Conference, Winnipeg, Canada, 1990.
Venkadesan M, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Guckenheimer JM. The dynamic sensorimotor regulation of fingertip force vectors is independent of hand strength. 33th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. New Orleans, LA, 2003.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Venkadesan, M, Talati, A Hirsch J. How networks of cortical activity adapt in response to changes in the type and quality of sensory input during dynamic precision pinch. 32th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Orlando, FL, 2002.
Erickson GM, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Biomechanical evolution of the oxudercine ('mudskipper') appendicular musculo-skeletal system through a water-to-land transition. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Denver, CO, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Burgar CG, Johanson ME, Zajac FE. Scaling of muscle activation patterns during generation of isometric fingertip forces. 28th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Los Angeles, CA, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, Burgar CG, Johanson ME, Hentz VR. Computer models lead to new concepts in restoring of grasp. 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Minneapolis, MN, 1998.
Johanson ME, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Towles JD, Burgar CG, Zajac FE, Hentz VR. Understanding activation patterns in muscles of the thumb to improve hand function in patients with spinal cord injury, 1st VA Rehabilitation R&D Meeting, Washington, DC., 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Hentz VR, Towles JD, Zajac FE. Improving index-finger forces in the quadriplegic hand through computer modeling and cadaveric experiments, 1st VA Rehabilitation R&D Meeting, Washington, DC., 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, Burgar C, Johanson ME, Hentz VR. Computer models lead to new concepts in restoring of grasp. 7th Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Vancouver, BC., Canada, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, Burgar C, Johanson ME, Hentz VR. Computer modeling of the hand leads to new concepts in restoring function. VI International Conference on Surgical Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb in Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia). Cleveland, Ohio, 1998.
Burgar CG, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Improved targeting of long finger flexors during chemodenervation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1996; 1996 Academy
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Burgar C, Zajac FE, Hentz VR, McGill KC, An KN. Muscle coordination during maximal index-finger ad-abduction forces, Abstracts V. I, 26th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC., 1996.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Hentz VR, Zajac FE, An KN. Musculoskeletal interactions which limit finger tip forces, Vth International Conference Surgical Rehabilitation Upper Limb in Tetraplegia, Melbourne, Australia, 1995.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, An KN, Hentz VR. Musculoskeletal interactions which limit finger tip forces, Second Triennial International Hand and Wrist Biomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, USA, 1995.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, An KN, Hentz VR. Characterization of fingertip Forces in Three Dimensions. Abstracts, V. II. Second World Congress of Biomechanics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1994.
Abstracts
Venkadesan M, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Guckenheimer JM. The dynamic sensorimotor regulation of fingertip force vectors is independent of hand strength. 33th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. New Orleans, LA, 2003.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Venkadesan, M, Talati, A Hirsch J. How networks of cortical activity adapt in response to changes in the type and quality of sensory input during dynamic precision pinch. 32th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Orlando, FL, 2002.
Erickson GM, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Biomechanical evolution of the oxudercine ('mudskipper') appendicular musculo-skeletal system through a water-to-land transition. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Denver, CO, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Burgar CG, Johanson ME, Zajac FE. Scaling of muscle activation patterns during generation of isometric fingertip forces. 28th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Los Angeles, CA, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, Burgar CG, Johanson ME, Hentz VR. Computer models lead to new concepts in restoring of grasp. 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Minneapolis, MN, 1998.
Johanson ME, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Towles JD, Burgar CG, Zajac FE, Hentz VR. Understanding activation patterns in muscles of the thumb to improve hand function in patients with spinal cord injury, 1st VA Rehabilitation R&D Meeting, Washington, DC., 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Hentz VR, Towles JD, Zajac FE. Improving index-finger forces in the quadriplegic hand through computer modeling and cadaveric experiments, 1st VA Rehabilitation R&D Meeting, Washington, DC., 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, Burgar C, Johanson ME, Hentz VR. Computer models lead to new concepts in restoring of grasp. 7th Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Vancouver, BC., Canada, 1998.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, Burgar C, Johanson ME, Hentz VR. Computer modeling of the hand leads to new concepts in restoring function. VI International Conference on Surgical Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb in Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia). Cleveland, Ohio, 1998.
Burgar CG, Valero-Cuevas FJ. Improved targeting of long finger flexors during chemodenervation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1996; 1996 Academy Abstracts.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Burgar C, Zajac FE, Hentz VR, McGill KC, An KN. Muscle coordination during maximal index-finger ad-abduction forces, Abstracts V. I, 26th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC., 1996.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Hentz VR, Zajac FE, An KN. Musculoskeletal interactions which limit finger tip forces, Vth International Conference Surgical Rehabilitation Upper Limb in Tetraplegia, Melbourne, Australia, 1995.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, An KN, Hentz VR. Musculoskeletal interactions which limit finger tip forces, Second Triennial International Hand and Wrist Biomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, USA, 1995.
Valero-Cuevas FJ, Zajac FE, An KN, Hentz VR. Characterization of fingertip Forces in Three Dimensions. Abstracts, V. II. Second World Congress of Biomechanics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1994.
Francisco Valero-Cuevas, Ph. D.