3-D computer graphics simulation of thumb joint kinematics

Real-time interactive three-dimensional graphics simulation of the human hand is used to study the effects of joint axes arrangements on the kinematics of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb. Skeletal images are derived from computerized tomography data from a fresh cadaver specimen. The bones were moved in kinematic models representing the various proposed axis configurations for CMC joint motion. It has been found that this three-dimensional simulation of the hand, which incorporates iterative control of axis positions and bone motions, is a useful tool for visualizing models of joint kinematics. High-level interaction, three-dimensional realism, and real-time motion allow instantaneous analysis of joint dynamics for the proposed axis configurations