A low cost grip transducer based instrument to quantify fingertip touch force.

In this paper, a transducer based instrument for fingertip touch force is developed. As a diagnostic tool, the system was coupled with an EMG analog signal processor, which is considered as the main basis of evaluation for motor function impairment. A software program is developed to analyze EMG signal during fingertips effort to obtain valid characteristic parameters with spectral analysis. These parameters are associated with a low cost grip transducer based on Hall Effect component developed for the improvement of fingertip movement during holding objects or training exercises. Thus, the changes on each sensor signal can be detected and monitored with the software interface. The output signal and the EMG analog processor are feeding a high resolution data acquisition system of National Instrument. Preliminary experimental tests have been carried out for the fingertip force grasping according to the Adductor Pollicis muscle (AdP) for controlling the adductive motion of the thumb. The experimental results show that the changes of dynamic fingertip force affect the muscle.