Preliminary evaluation of global hand function measurement device

This paper presents initial results from the evaluation of a new virtual reality, force feedback device for measurement of global hand function. In particular, this paper describes the software developed to better support the collection, transformation and display of hand data from the device hardware, and it also describes the initial testing of the device using the improved software interface. The raw vector information provided by the device is of only limited use in understanding the hand motion being measured. By transforming and incorporating the vector data into an articulated 3-D structure using the Open Graphics Library standard, a crude but useable graphical model of the hand and its movements has been developed. Several options are available for manipulation of the model, including camera positioning, lighting, emphasis effects, and digit segment rotation estimates. Studies with the device revealed several hardware constraints that prevent comprehensive data analysis and force feedback. However, the software was shown to be an effective way to quantify and visualize the movements of the human hand. Future work will include retrieval and display of movement rates and forces, as well as a more realistic display of the hand