Concept generation of ligament elements
The human hand is made up of tendons and ligaments.These are important soft tissues that transfer forces from muscles to finger joints and coordinate the complex finger movements.
As seen in conventional robotic hand research, their functions are often simplified by cables and linkages and motors. In order to better simulate the neuromuscular control strategy of the human hand, we believe that it is important to replicate the salient features of the biological ligaments and tendons using artificial materials. Concept generation of ligament elements for the MCP and PIP joints. The metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) of the hand are the primary stabilisers of the MCP joints. They have two parts: the cord-like collateral ligaments proper (not pictured here) located more dorsally and the accessory collateral ligaments located more volarly. (pictured)
They enable us to spread our fingers with an open hand but not with the hand closed into a fist.
Due to the relation between their insertions on the sides of the metacarpal head and the axis of rotation in the joint, the collateral ligaments are taut in flexion but lax in extension, while the accessory collateral ligaments are lax in flexion but taut in extension.
