The Interactive Hand, 2nd Annual Translational Medicine Conference 'Developing Profitable Partnerships'

BackgroundThis research is part of the RCUK funded Digital Human Project and proposes the development of quantifiably articulated skeletal model of the hand. The research explores interactivity technologies used in virtual environments. It is proposed this model will inform the development of a new clinical measurement tool initially for application with arthritic patients.Methods Literature reviews concerning articulation, range of motion for the hand, and interactivity with virtual environments were carried out. Contemporary interaction technologies rationally applied within the gaming and entertainment industries were reviewed in relation to how these may be used for measurement quantification. We wish to explore how these technologies cn be used directly to interact and manipulate our digital model within a virtual environmentResults A basic articulated model using simplified geometry and a technical animation hierarchy was constructed. It consists of all 27 hand and wist bones as well as the arms radius and ulna bones.The model was based on data from studies by Chao 1989, Nordin and Frankel 2001 for range of motion only and does not include coupled motion patterns or natural limitations of articulation due to soft tissue. For example, the affect of adductor pollicis on adduction of the thumb.An innovation award (HEIF 2008) was secured to bring together expertise from Creative Arts, Computing Science and Rheumatology. With this fund the team will explore the development of an innovative measurement tool for application with arthritic patients using a motion capture DataGlove which also allows patients to interact with the digital model within a virtual environment.Conclusion Research exists to inform the creation of an articulated digital model of the human hand which has made it possible to apply a predictable hierarchy of articulation within the skeletal model. The present research was based on literature for a normal population and thus further research is required to understand the implications on articulation patterns caused by typical morphological and biomechanical conditions of arthritis.Future work will involve exploration of all elements of the musculoskeletal system of the hand including muscle, tendon and skin. A further review of coupling patterns will also assist to inform the model.Building on the HEIF award our team is now looking to set up a working group involving medical clinicians, computer engineers and designers with our aim to evaluate our project and to compare with existing technologies in applied clinical practice through clinical trials and comparative studies.