Subject-Specific Finite Element Modelling of the Human Hand Complex: Muscle-Driven Simulations and Experimental Validation

Abstract

This paper aims to develop and validate a subjectspecific framework for modelling the human hand. This was achieved by combining medical image-based finite element modelling, individualized muscle force and kinematic measurements. Firstly, a subject-specific human hand finite element (FE) model was developed. The geometries of the phalanges, carpal bones, wrist bones, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous tissue and skin were all included. The material properties were derived from in-vivo and in-vitro experiment results available in the literature. The boundary and loading conditions were defined based on the kinematic data and muscle forces of a specific subject captured from the in-vivo grasping tests. The predicted contact pressure and contact area were in good agreement with the in-vivo test results of the same subject, with the relative errors for the contact pressures all being below 20%. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effects of important modelling parameters on the predictions. The results showed that contact pressure and area were sensitive to the material properties and muscle forces. This FE human hand model can be used to make a detailed and quantitative evaluation into biomechanical and neurophysiological aspects of human hand contact during daily perception and manipulation. The findings can be applied to the design of the bionic hands or neuro-prosthetics in the future.

Estimation of joint contact pressure in the index finger using a hybrid finite element musculoskeletal approach

“…The hybrid model proposes a new multi-articular tendon force transmission based on a tendon-pulley system, where flexor and extensor tendons slide in annular pulleys and sheaths, respectively. This represents an improvement over previous studies on finger joints (Harih 2019;Wei et al 2020) and toe joints (Isvilanonda et al 2012;Morales-Orcajo et al 2015) which represented the tendon force transmission through wire connectors without considering either pulleys or the wrapping phenomena. Despite this achievement, the validation of tendon force transmission still represents a challenge due to the complexity of the geometric network and tendon bands.…”

Medical Imaging Diagnosis of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Based on Intelligent Finite-Element Algorithm

“…(6) CTexamination cannot be performed due to pregnancy and other reasons. (7) Patients do not agree or cooperate with researchers [7][8][9].…”

In vivo soft tissue compressive properties of the human hand

“…Although human soft tissues are broadly recognized to be viscoelastic, in finite element models of the hand, most models continue to use linear or nonlinear elastic material definitions [ 107 ]. Combining these individual tissue models into an overall biological structure such as the hand requires additional validation to ensure the assembled structure mimics real human behavior [ 108 ]. Importantly, the in vivo compression properties observed here may provide calibration data to derive correction factors to modify computational models to correct for post mortem derived individual tissue properties [ 109 ].…”