A computational model of the human hand 93-ERI-053 Page: 3 of 14
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A Computational Model of the Human Hand
93-ERI-053
K. Hollerbach, P.I.
(T. Axelrod, original P.I.)
Final Report
Introduction
The objectives of the Computational Hand Modeling project were to prove the feasibility of
applying the Laboratory's NIKE3D finite element code to orthopaedic problems. Because of the
great complexity of anatomical structures and the nonlinearity of their behavior, we have focused
on a subset of joints of the hand and lower extremity and have developed algorithms to model their
behavior. The algorithms developed here solve fundamental problems in computational
biomechanics and can be expanded to describe any other joints of the human body. This kind of
computational modeling has never successfully been attempted before, due in part to a lack of
biomaterials data and a lack of computational resources. With the computational resources available
at the National Laboratories and the collaborative relationships we have established with
experimental and other modeling laboratories, we have been in a position to pursue our innovative
approach to biomechanical and orthopedic modeling.
Motivation for the research lay in the following areas:
(1) The high cost of repetitive motion injuries to the upper extremity (over $30 billion per year in
medical costs in the U.S.) makes developing tools-for evaluating hand function a health care
priority.
(2) Assessment of outcome of surgery following traumatic or repetitive motion injury to the hand
is made possible by the development of the complete hand model.
(3) The tools developed in this project are used in analysis of orthopaedic images of other body
parts.
(4) Progress made in developing sophisticated segmentation and finite element tools is directly
applicable to other areas of computational medicine.
(5) The models dramatically improve LLNL's ability to model complex material systems.
Starting Point in 1993
The Computational Hand LDRD project began in 1993, with a very small group of researchers in
the Institute for Scientific Computing Research (ISCR) contemplating the need for a highly
detailed, anatomically realistic hand biomechanics model that could be developed rapidly, on a
patient-specific basis. At the time, the ISCR research group was working alone in this area, with
none of the required modeling tools in existence. After several years of research experience in this
area, the present Computational Biomechanics Group is aware of the interdisciplinary challenges
and monumental tasks that faced the initial research group. Although not all of the original
milestones presented in 1993 were accomplished due to unforeseen technical challenges, the
accomplishments of the research performed under the auspices of the Computational Hand LDRD
project are significant. In order to highlight these research accomplishments, it is worthwhile to
remind the reader of the modeling tools that are required in this modeling process but that did not
exist when the project began: Development of the human joint models has always depended upon
the existence of high quality, high contrast, high resolution, 3D scanned data sets. No such dataK. Hollerbach, ISCR/LLNL
15 March, 1996
1
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Hollerbach, K. & Axelrod, T. A computational model of the human hand 93-ERI-053, report, March 1, 1996; California. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc668728/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.