Free and Forced Vibration Modes of the Human Fingertip

Computational analysis of free and forced vibration responses provides crucial information on the dynamic characteristics deformable bodies. Although such numerical techniques are prevalently used in many disciplines, they have been underutilized quest to understand form function human fingers. We addressed this opportunity by building DigiTip, a detailed three-dimensional finite element model representative fingertip that is based prior anatomical biomechanical studies. Using developed model, we first performed modal analyses determine modes with associated frequencies up about 250 Hz, frequency at which humans most sensitive vibratory stimuli fingertip. The results reveal typical exhibits seven characteristic patterns considered range. Subsequently, applied distributed harmonic forces fingerprint centroid three principal directions predict through frequency-response analyses; these simulations demonstrate certain excited significantly more efficiently than others under investigated conditions. illuminate behavior haptic interactions involving oscillating stimuli, as textures alerts, show how can soft tissue.