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Data & Resources

We provide models, simulations, and data sets from many of our publications.  If there is a specific item that you are interested in that is not listed, please contact Dr. Nichols directly.

Please respect the work of the researchers by appropriately citing any resources that you use. 

Models & Simulations

Hand Model & Simulations of Functional Tasks

Our lab uses and contributes to the ARMS Lab Hand and Wrist Model. Dr. Wendy Murray (Northwestern University) is the project lead. The model is publicly available via SimTK: https://simtk.org/projects/arms_hand_model This public download includes a model of the hand and wrist as well as simulation files for evaluating maximum grip strength, maximum pinch strength, active hand opening, and passive hand opening. For more information, refer to McFarland et al. (2023).

Surgically-Salvaged Wrist Models

The computer models described in Nichols et al. PLoS One 2016 publicly available through the “Nonimpaired & Surgically Salvaged Wrist Project” on SimTK: https://simtk.org/projects/wristsalvage  These models describe the wrist following two surgeries to treat osteoarthritis: proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and scaphoid-excision four-corner fusion (SE4CF).

Dynamic Upper Limb Model

Our lab uses and contributes to the enhancement of the MoBL-ARMS upper extremity model developed by Wendy Murray (Northwestern University) and Kate Saul (NC State University). This OpenSim model is originally described in Saul et al. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2015 and can be accessed via SimTK at https://simtk.org/projects/upexdyn/

Data Sets

Lateral Pinch Simulations

The simulation data described in Kearney et al. PLOS One 2021 are publicly available through the “Thumb-Tip Force during Lateral Pinch Project” SimTK: https://simtk.org/projects/thumb-force These data characterize how thumb-tip endpoint force changes in response to isolated adjustments to Hill-type muscle parameters.

Wrist & Thumb Moment Arms

The cadaveric moment arm data reported in Nichols et al. Clin Biomech 2016 and Nichols et al. PLoS One 2016 is publicly available through the “Nonimpaired & Surgically Salvaged Wrist Project” on SimTK: https://simtk.org/projects/wristsalvage  The reported data includes wrist flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation moment arms for the primary wrist (ECRL, ECRB, ECU, FCR, FCU) and extrinsic thumb muscles (EPL, EPB, APL, FPL).  Data includes moment arms for the healthy and surgically salvaged wrists.

Lab Facilities

Equipment

  • Motion Capture uses infrared cameras and reflective markers to measure human movement. Our motion capture system is specifically set-up for upper limb movement analysis.
    • 12-camera Vicon Vero v.2.2 motion capture system
  • Electromyography (EMG) is a method for recording muscle activity (e.g., whether a muscle is “on” or “off”). Our EMG system can record from muscles near the skins surface using surface electrodes and muscles deep in the body using intramuscular needle electrodes.
    • 32-channel Delsys Trigno EMG system
      • 8 Trigno Avanti Sensors (surface)
      • 8 Trigno Spring Contact Sensors (intramuscular)
      • 4 Trigno Quattro Sensors (surface)
  • Dynamometers are instruments used to measure force and torque. Our dynamometers can be used to examine strength in pediatric, adult, and elderly populations.
    • Biodex System 4 Pro
      • Standard Attachments for Measuring Joint Torques
      • Work Simulation Attachments
    • Hand Dynamometer for measuring grip strength
    • Pinch Gauges for measuring pinch strength
    • Custom Force Sensors are being developed to study finger forces
  • Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging modality that can be used to measure muscle properties. Our ultrasound systems were chosen to optimize imaging of upper and lower limb musculature for research purposes.
    • SuperSonic Imagine Aixplorer MACH 30
      • L18-5 linear transducer, L10-2 linear transducer, and LH20-6 hockey stick linear transducer
      • ShearWave Plus Elastography enables measurement of shear wave speed to assess tissue stiffness
      • Panoramic Imaging on all linear transducers
    • Telemed ArtUs Ultrasound System
      • L12-5N40-A5 and L18-10H30-A4 linear transducers
      • Research package provides access to raw RF data
      • PanoView plug-in for recording of panoramic images
  • YCB Object Set: The Yale-CMU-Berkeley (YCB) Object & Model Set is a collection of common household objects for benchmarking robotic manipulation. We are using the objects and models to study activities of daily living and to develop simulations of contact forces at the hand-object interface.

Software

To facilitate analysis of experimental data and creation of predictive biomechanical simulations, we utilize a variety of engineering and data analysis software packages. We have licenses for Matlab, LabView, Nexus, and EMGworks. We also utilize many open-source software packages, including OpenSim, Python, PyTorch, NotePad++, OnShape, ImageJ, and Seg3D.

If access to our equipment or software could enhance your research, please contact Dr. Nichols directly via e-mail to discuss potential collaboration.