A Finite Element Model of 3D Microstructure of Dermal Papillae: Concentration of Strain Energy Density at Mechanoreceptor Locations

摘要

Finite Element (FE) analysis has become a reliable method for investigating how skin microstructure affects mechanoreceptors. Previous studies primarily used the 2D model of fingertip cross-sections. However, there is a gap between the conventional 2D models of dermal papillae and their natural configuration (3D microstructure), which also has a complex and uneven structure along the depth direction. This paper introduces a FE model of 3D microstructure, and reveals the essential differences between 2D and 3D aspects of dermal papillae on the strain energy density (SED) at mechanoreceptor positions.