A new method for measurement of finger-phalangeal force

Finger-phalangeal forces during maximal isometric cylinder grasping have been measured by using pressure-sensitive sheets in order to intensify the finger pressure, ball mats have been used. An image-analysis system has been used to determine the force exerted by the finger phalanges from the density of stains on the pressure-sensitive film. The variation of the finger forces with different cylinder sizes has been investigated, and the locations of the phalangeal force centers have also been obtained. The present method is useful for the analysis of finger-pulp contact with an object, and also for optimizing handle-shape design.