Subject-specific finite element modelling of the human hand complex : muscle-driven simulations and experimental validation

Wei, Y; Zou, Z; Wei, G; Ren, L; Qian, Z

Abstract

This paper aims to develop and validate a subject-specific 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.

Citation

Wei, Y., Zou, Z., Wei, G., Ren, L., & Qian, Z. (2020). Subject-specific finite element modelling of the human hand complex : muscle-driven simulations and experimental validation. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 48(4), 1181-1195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02439-2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 10, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 16, 2019
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jan 3, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 3, 2020
• Journal: Annals of Biomedical Engineering
• Print ISSN: 0090-6964
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-9686
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1181-1195
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02439-2
• Keywords: Biomechanics, Electromyography, Finite element human hand model, Finite element method, Haptics
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02439-2
• Related Public URLs: https://link.springer.com/journal/10439
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: eissn 1573-9686 **Article IDs: pubmed: 31845127; pii: 10.1007/s10439-019-02439-2 **History: accepted 10-12-2019; submitted 31-08-2019