Validation of a 3-D Finite Element Human Fingerpad Model Composed of Anatomically Accurate Tissue Layers

The mechanoreceptors distributed in the finger provide a perceptual interface with our physical world. Slowly adapting type I (SA-I) mechanoreceptors translate mechanical stimulation to neural response and inform our sense of touch. This paper sought to develop a 3-D finite element model of the fingertip to help better understand how the mechanics of the skin impact SA-I mechanoreceptor response. This 3-D model has anatomically accurate external geometry, is multi-layered with accurate skin layer thicknesses and utilizes linear elastic material properties. Its mesh is also of a higher resolution compared to previous models. The model was validated using a 50 mum line load to predict fingerpad surface deflection and using an aperiodic grating to predict edge effects in the neural response. While more rigorous testing remains, the ability of the model to match published data for this subset of tasks shows its capacity to predict biologically accurate responses.