Geometric and Mechanical Characterization of Human Carpal Bones – a Preliminary Study

Authors

  • Dénes Faragó
    Affiliation

    Cooperation Research Center for Biomechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary , 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3.; Department of Mechatronics, Optics and Mechanical Engineering Informatics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3

  • Rita Mária Kiss
    Affiliation

    Cooperation Research Center for Biomechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary , 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3.; Department of Mechatronics, Optics and Mechanical Engineering Informatics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3

https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.15125

Abstract

Human hand injuries account for a significant number of accidents of young adults (mostly sports injuries) and elderly people. The most vulnerable part of the hand is the wrist, a construct consisting of numerous bones and ligaments. The hand is a complex structure, the mechanical behavior is hard to describe, and also it is sometimes hard to correctly diagnose the injuries. The goal of the present research is to create a quickly and inexpensive measurement method to characterize the geometrical and mechanical properties of carpal bones.
The method presented is suitable to properly characterize the intact and damaged geometries of different carpal bones (capitate scaphoid, trapezium, pisiform). 3D models of intact and failed bones are determined by a 3D scanner, mechanical properties are determined with high-speed compression load (700 mm/min), which represents the fracture by falling down.
According to the test results, the 3D scanning technique provided valuable geometrical data for cross-section calculation (scan before the test) and for analysis of the failure mode of the bones (scan after the test). The modulus of elasticity data for finite element simulation can be determined by the high-speed compression tests.

Keywords:

human hand, carpal bones, carpal tunnel, mechanical test, 3D image

Published Online

2020-01-15

How to Cite

Faragó, D., Kiss, R. M. “Geometric and Mechanical Characterization of Human Carpal Bones – a Preliminary Study”, Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 64(1), pp. 138–143, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.15125

Issue

Section

Research Article