Cold and hot type portable glove with adjustable joint motion range

Abstract

The invention discloses a cold and hot type portable glove with adjustable joint motion range, which belongs to the technical field of medical instruments and structurally comprises a glove body, a double-layer elastic body and a heat insulation coating layer are arranged on the surface of the hand back side of the glove body, and a thermoelectric material layer and a heat transfer coating layer are arranged on the surface of the palm side of the glove body; a temperature sensor which can be in direct contact with a hand is arranged in the glove body; the double-layer elastomers are arranged at finger joints and wrist joints and comprise a lower-layer non-phase-change elastomer and an upper-layer liquid-gas phase-change elastomer, a temperature-controllable resistance wire is embedded in the liquid-gas phase-change elastomer, the resistance wire is heated to enable the liquid-gas phase-change elastomer to generate shape change and the double-layer elastomers to generate bending deformation, and the motion range of the joints is adjusted; the thermoelectric material layers are arranged at non-finger joints and non-wrist joints, and the thermoelectric material layers achieve refrigeration or heating based on the Peltier effect. The cold and hot type portable glove is high in integration level, good in portability and wide in application prospect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to a portable cold and hot glove with adjustable joint mobility. Background Art

[0002] Stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease, which is highly prevalent in the elderly, patients with hypertension, diabetes patients, etc. More than half of stroke patients have upper limb function impairment. Most patients have increased muscle tension in the flexor muscle groups of the wrist and hand, resulting in finger spasm or contracture. At the same time of spasm, finger swelling also occurs, causing pain to the patient and decreasing mobility. This not only limits the effect of rehabilitation treatment, but also affects the patient's hand hygiene and self-care ability. Currently, the clinical treatment for finger spasm is to perform joint movement training manually or with the aid of instruments (such as pneumatic hands, finger splints, etc.), and the treatment for finger swelling is to use cold and hot water immersion to improve blood circulation and promote the subsidence of finger swelling.

[0003] Finger splints can help patients separate or extend their fingers and are used to prevent and correct finger flexor spasm or contracture deformities. The existing types of finger splints include finger splints for joint training, electrotherapy finger splints, heat therapy finger splints, airbag finger splints, adjustable finger splints, etc. The main functions of these finger splints are to move the joint range of motion, improve blood circulation by using electrical stimulation or heat therapy, etc., but they cannot achieve cold and hot circulation, and the clinical effect needs to be improved.

[0004] Chinese patent document with publication number CN111729196A discloses a cold and hot finger device based on low-frequency pulsed electrotherapy, which can improve blood circulation by using a refrigeration water tank and a hot water tank, but it cannot control the temperature and time, and cannot move the joints. Moreover, the water tank is bulky and inconvenient to carry, and it cannot meet the requirements of rehabilitation training and home use.

[0005] Chinese patent document with publication number CN114191681A discloses a variable-temperature pressurized glove, which at least includes a wearable main body that can be worn on the hand of a stroke patient. A pressurizing component that can detachably apply intermittent squeezing pressure to the patient's hand to relieve limb edema and a temperature control component that can adjustably provide periodic temperature stimulation of cold and heat alternation to the hand are installed in the wearable main body. The temperature control component at least includes a semiconductor refrigeration unit, a heat transfer module, a flexible water pipe and a fixing film. However, this invention requires connecting many pipelines, has a complex structure, and cannot achieve the bending movement of fingers.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to provide a glove for stroke patients' rehabilitation that does not require an external air pump, air pipe and cold and hot water tank, is small and convenient, can achieve cold and heat alternation to improve blood circulation and can move the joint range of motion. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a portable cold and hot glove with adjustable joint range of motion, which has high integration, good portability, high overall temperature control efficiency, and good therapeutic effects on joint contracture and the like.

[0008] The specific technical solutions adopted are as follows:

[0009] A portable cold and hot glove with adjustable joint range of motion, comprising:

[0010] A glove body, the back side of the glove body is made of heat-insulating material, and the palm side is made of heat-transferring material. A double-layer elastomer and a heat-insulating coating layer are arranged on the surface of the back side of the glove body, and a thermoelectric material layer and a heat-transferring coating layer are arranged on the surface of the palm side; a temperature sensor capable of directly contacting the hand is arranged inside the glove body.

[0011] The double-layer elastomer is arranged at the finger joints and the wrist joints, and includes a lower non-phase change elastomer and an upper liquid-gas phase change elastomer. The non-phase change elastomer is in direct contact with the surface of the back side of the glove body. A temperature-controlled resistance wire is embedded inside the liquid-gas phase change elastomer. The resistance wire heating causes the liquid-gas phase change elastomer to change shape and the double-layer elastomer to bend and deform, so as to adjust the joint range of motion.

[0012] The heat-insulating coating layer is used to coat the double-layer elastomer to play a protective role and prevent burns caused by accidental touch.

[0013] The thermoelectric material layer is arranged at the non-finger joints and the non-wrist joints, and includes a semiconductor material, a conductive material and a packaging material. The thermoelectric material layer realizes refrigeration or heating based on the Peltier effect.

[0014] The heat-transferring coating layer is used to coat the thermoelectric material layer to play a protective role.

[0015] The portable cold and hot glove with adjustable joint range of motion provided by the present invention includes a double-layer elastomer structure. The double-layer elastomer includes a lower non-phase change elastomer and an upper liquid-gas phase change elastomer, which can realize rapid heating and cooling and precise temperature control. By controlling the temperature of the liquid-gas phase change elastomer, the bending degrees of the wrist joint and each metacarpophalangeal joint can be respectively controlled to improve the joint range of motion and prevent joint contracture. At the same time, the thermoelectric material layer is used to realize rapid refrigeration and heating, so as to achieve the effect of promoting the subsidence of edema by using cold and hot cycles, and there is no need for an external air pump, air pipe and cold and hot water tank, which is small and convenient.

[0016] Optionally, the temperature sensor is a thermal resistance temperature sensor.

[0017] Optionally, the non-phase change elastomer is a silicone rubber elastomer or a polyurethane elastomer, and the thickness of the non-phase change elastomer is 2.5-5 mm.

[0018] Optionally, the liquid-gas phase change elastomer includes a matrix and a phase change material uniformly dispersed in the matrix. The matrix is a silicone rubber elastomer or a polyurethane elastomer. The boiling point of the phase change material is ≤80°C, and the thickness of the liquid-gas phase change elastomer is 5-10 mm.

[0019] Further, the phase change material includes electronic fluorinated liquid, ethanol or perfluorohexane.

[0020] Optionally, the heat insulation material used for preparing the back side of the glove body is selected from aluminosilicate fiber, silica-based aerogel, graphene flexible heat insulation film or ceramic fiber cloth.

[0021] A temperature-controlled resistance wire is installed inside the liquid-gas phase change elastomer. The heating temperature of the resistance wire becomes the gas driving temperature of the double-layer elastomer. When the resistance wire is heated, the phase change material in the liquid-gas phase change elastomer vaporizes and drives its expansion, while the non-phase change elastomer remains in its original state. This volume inequality causes the liquid-gas phase change elastomer to bend towards the non-phase change elastomer. Its bending angle (i.e., the joint mobility) is controlled by the gas driving temperature, and the range of each joint mobility is different. Preferably, the shape of the double-layer elastomer is designed separately according to the shapes of different finger parts and wrist joints of the finger. Each double-layer elastomer works independently, and a sheet-shaped double-layer elastomer is provided at the wrist joint.

[0022] Optionally, the thickness of the thermoelectric material layer is 10-15 mm, the semiconductor material is silicon carbide or bismuth telluride (including P-type and N-type), and the thermoelectric material layer can be directly purchased.

[0023] Further, the heat transfer material used for preparing the palm side of the glove body is selected from natural fiber, synthetic fiber or rubber.

[0024] The refrigeration and heating principle of the thermoelectric material layer is the Peltier effect. When an electric current passes through a loop composed of two different conductive materials, heat absorption or heat release will occur at the joints of the two materials. The refrigeration principle of the semiconductor is that when direct current passes through an electric couple in series with P-type and N-type semiconductors, holes in the P-type semiconductor and electrons in the N-type semiconductor act as carriers. The electrons flow from the N-type semiconductor to the P-type semiconductor, absorbing heat, thereby lowering the temperature of one end of the electric couple to form a cold end. The heating principle of the semiconductor is that when the direction of the direct current is reversed, the movement direction of the carriers also changes. The electrons flow from the P-type semiconductor to the N-type semiconductor, and the electrons release heat, raising the temperature of one end of the electric couple to form a hot end.

[0025] Specifically, the adjustable joint mobility cold and hot portable glove further includes a control component, which includes a drive control sensing chip, a temperature control sensing chip, a thermoelectric material feedback control system, and a power supply; the drive control sensing chip is used to independently control the bending deformation degree of the double-layer elastomers at each finger joint and wrist joint, and thus independently control the mobility at each finger joint and wrist joint; the temperature control sensing chip is used to control the refrigeration and heating of the thermoelectric material, so as to realize cold and hot alternation to improve blood circulation; the thermoelectric material feedback control system receives the signal sent by the temperature sensor and sends a thermal feedback control signal to the temperature control sensing chip; the power supply is used for power supply.

[0026] Preferably, the temperature control range of the temperature control sensing chip is 10°C - 40°C, and the time for each cold cycle or hot cycle is maintained at 10s - 15min, and they are alternately repeated. The total treatment time for one time is between 10min and 30min.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0028] (1) The present invention uses the heating of the resistance wire to generate liquid-gas phase change as the driving source, replacing the rigid devices such as pipelines, air pumps, and gas cylinders driven by traditional gases, improving the integration and portability; and the double-layer elastomer is a polymer flexible material, which has the advantages of heat resistance, cold resistance, high elasticity, and good biocompatibility, with low manufacturing cost and simple steps; the thermoelectric material layer is easy to be miniaturized and integrated, and can precisely control the temperature of a local area or a small space. Therefore, the adjustable joint mobility cold and hot portable glove provided by the present invention is overall comfortable, light, and convenient to carry.

[0029] (2) The adjustable joint mobility cold and hot portable glove of the present invention can be customized according to the hand size and swelling degree of the patient, ensuring all-round treatment of the patient during the treatment process, thereby improving the use effect and applicable range.

[0030] (3) Based on the characteristics of the liquid-gas phase change elastomer, the adjustable joint mobility cold and hot portable glove of the present invention applies different temperatures to control its bending degree, and according to the different degrees of spasm or contracture of the patient, conducts joint movement training with different mobilities for the patient to prevent joint contracture, thereby improving the rehabilitation effect.

[0031] (4) The thermoelectric material layer in the adjustable joint mobility cold and hot portable glove of the present invention has the advantages of a wide temperature control range, precise temperature control, simple structure, easy miniaturization and integration, and good stability. The temperature control range is 10°C - 40°C, the cold and hot alternation process is fast and accurate, and the total duration of the cyclic treatment can be controlled within 10min - 30min, effectively promoting the subsidence of finger swelling. Description of the Drawings

[0032] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the dorsal side structure of a portable hot and cold glove with adjustable joint mobility

[0033] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the palm side structure of a portable hot and cold glove with adjustable joint mobility

[0034] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the side structure of a portable hot and cold glove with adjustable joint mobility

[0035] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the deformation process of a double - layer elastomer

[0036] Figure 5 Schematic diagram for calculating the bending curvature of a double - layer elastomer during deformation

[0037] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the temperature control principle of a thermoelectric material layer

[0038] Figure 7 Graph showing the relationship between the bending curvature and heating temperature of the double - layer elastomer in Example 1

[0039] Figure 8 Graph showing the relationship between the bending curvature and heating temperature of the double - layer elastomer in Example 2

[0040] Reference numerals: 1 - glove body; 2 - double - layer elastomer; 3 - resistance wire; 4 - control component; 5 - thermoelectric material layer; 6 - liquid - gas phase change elastomer; 7 - non - phase - change elastomer; 8 - heat - insulating coating layer. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following provides a detailed description through specific implementation manners. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to fully understand the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below. The technical features in various embodiments of the present invention can be combined correspondingly without conflict.

[0042] For the operation methods without specific conditions noted in the following embodiments, they are generally carried out under conventional conditions or according to the conditions recommended by the manufacturer. The content not described in detail in this specification belongs to the prior art well - known to those skilled in the art. The experimental materials used in the following embodiments can be obtained from conventional biochemical reagent companies without special instructions.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] As Figures 1 - 3As shown in the figure, the adjustable joint mobility cold and hot portable glove includes a glove body 1. The back side of the glove body 1 is made of a heat-insulating material (such as silica aerogel), and the palm side is made of a heat-transferring material (such as natural fiber, synthetic fiber). A double-layer elastomer 2 and a heat-insulating coating layer 8 are provided on the surface of the back side of the glove body 1, and a thermoelectric material layer 5 and a heat-transferring coating layer (not shown in the figure) are provided on the surface of the palm side. A thermal resistance temperature sensor that can directly contact the hand is provided inside the glove body (not shown in the figure).

[0045] A plurality of double-layer elastomers 2 are respectively arranged at the finger joints and the wrist joints, including a lower non-phase change elastomer 7 and an upper liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6. The non-phase change elastomer 7 is in direct contact with the surface of the back side of the glove body 1. A temperature-controlled resistance wire 3 is embedded inside the liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6. The resistance wire 3 is heated to cause the liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 to change shape and the double-layer elastomer 2 to bend and deform, so as to adjust the joint mobility. Each double-layer elastomer 2 matches the shape of the finger joints and the wrist joints. The double-layer elastomer 2 is bonded to the surface of the back side of the glove body 1 to ensure that the double-layer elastomer 2 is closely attached to the glove body 1. An insulating coating layer 8 is provided outside the double-layer elastomer 2 to prevent scalding caused by accidental contact.

[0046] The liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 serves as a bending actuator with adjustable joint mobility. The liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 and the non-phase change elastomer 7 are cured together by silicone rubber. The non-phase change elastomer 7 is a silicone rubber elastomer. The liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 includes a silicone rubber elastomer and a phase change material (3M Novec 7100 electronic fluorinated liquid, boiling point 61°C) uniformly dispersed in the silicone rubber elastomer. The thickness of the non-phase change elastomer 7 is 5 mm, and the thickness of the liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 is 10 mm. The shape of the double-layer elastomer is designed separately according to the shapes of different finger parts and wrist joints of the fingers.

[0047] The thermoelectric material layer 5 is made into a shape that fits the finger contour according to the finger joints and is bonded to the surface of the palm side of the glove body. The thermoelectric material layer is arranged at non-finger joints and non-wrist joints. The thermoelectric material layers are connected to each other by a circuit and are uniformly controlled by a power supply for heating and cooling, and can control the duration of heating and cooling, and adjust the treatment duration and cold and hot cycle according to the rehabilitation training plan of different patients.

[0048] The thermoelectric material layer 5 can be directly purchased. It includes (P-type and N-type) semiconductor materials (such as silicon carbide or bismuth telluride), conductive materials (copper), and insulating ceramics. Silicone rubber, epoxy resin, etc. can be further installed on the thermoelectric material layer 5 for encapsulation protection. The thickness of the thermoelectric material layer 5 is 1.2 cm, and it has a wide temperature range and precise control.

[0049] The adjustable range of joint motion cold and hot portable gloves also includes a control component 4. The control component includes a drive control sensing chip, a temperature control sensing chip, a thermoelectric material feedback control system, and a power supply. The drive control sensing chip is used to independently control the bending deformation degree of the double-layer elastomers at each finger joint and the wrist joint, and thus independently control the range of motion at each finger joint and the wrist joint. The temperature control sensing chip is used to control the refrigeration and heating of the thermoelectric material, and thus realize the improvement of the circulation by alternating cold and hot. The thermoelectric material feedback control system receives the signal sent by the temperature sensor and sends a thermal feedback control signal to the temperature control sensing chip. The power supply is used for power supply.

[0050] As Figure 4 shown, when the heating resistance wire 3 heats up and the temperature reaches the boiling point of the phase change material, the droplets will quickly evaporate and turn into gas, and the volume of the liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 will expand sharply, while the non-phase change elastomer 7 does not expand. This inconsistency in the degree of expansion will generate a stress difference between the two layers of materials. The larger-expanded liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 will exert a squeezing effect on the non-expanding non-phase change elastomer 7, thereby causing the double-layer elastomer 2 to bend and deform as a whole, and the degree of its bending is controlled by the gas-driven heating temperature. When the heating stops, the liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 gradually cools, and the gaseous phase change material gradually changes back to the liquid phase, and the material volume shrinks, and the structure of the double-layer elastomer 2 returns to the initial state. Different joints have different bending angles. The bending angle range at the wrist joint is 0-85°, and the bending angle ranges at each finger joint are shown in Table 1. The finger joint numbers are named as Joint 1, Joint 2, and Joint 3 from top to bottom.

[0051] Table 1 Bending angles at each finger joint

[0052]

[0053] The bending degree of each double-layer elastomer is represented by curvature. As Figure 4 、 Figure 5 shown, the calculation formula is as follows:

[0054]

[0055] Among them, κ is the curvature, R represents the radius of the arc, L represents the distance between the two ends of the arc, and H represents the vertical distance between the top of the bending arc and the horizontal plane.

[0056] By controlling the heating temperature of the resistance wire 3 to control different bending degrees. In this embodiment, the relationship diagram between the bending curvature of the double-layer elastomer and the heating temperature is as Figure 7As shown, joint movement training of different degrees is performed on the patient. For example, for the second joint of the index finger, when the air-driven temperature rises from 0°C to 70°C, the bending angle bends from 0° to 50°. When the air-driven temperature continues to rise to 90°C, the bending angle bends to 80°. Finally, when the temperature rises to 100°C, the bending angle reaches the maximum value of 110°.

[0057] The schematic diagram of the temperature control principle of the thermoelectric material layer is as Figure 6 shown. A high-precision current source is used to provide current, and the temperature is monitored in real time through a feedback control system and the current magnitude is adjusted according to the set temperature value. For example, in the heating state, when the set temperature is 40°C and the actual temperature is lower than the set temperature, the current is increased to raise the temperature; in the cooling state, when the set temperature is 10°C and the actual temperature is higher than the set temperature, the current is increased to enhance the cooling effect. The cooling and heating states are controlled by the current direction. When the current direction is from the N-type semiconductor to the P-type semiconductor, it is the cooling state, and changing the current direction can switch to the heating state. Therefore, the glove can achieve rapid cold and heat cycling according to the set temperature.

[0058] Example 2

[0059] The difference between this example and Example 1 is only that the phase change material in the liquid-gas phase change elastomer 6 is selected as ethanol, and the boiling point of ethanol is 78°C. The relationship diagram between the bending curvature of the double-layer elastomer and the heating temperature is as Figure 8 shown, and it can meet the bending degree required for the patient's joint movement training. For example, for the second joint of the index finger, when the air-driven temperature rises from 0°C to 90°C, the bending angle bends from 0° to 60°. When the air-driven temperature continues to rise to 100°C, the bending angle bends to 90°. Finally, when the temperature rises to 105°C, the bending angle reaches the maximum value of 110°.

[0060] The above-described embodiments have described the technical solutions of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Any modifications, supplements, or substitutions in a similar manner within the scope of the principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable joint mobility hot and cold portable glove, characterized in that, Comprising: A glove body, the back side of the glove body is made of heat-insulating material, and the palm side is made of heat-conducting material. A double-layer elastomer and a heat-insulating coating layer are provided on the surface of the back side of the glove body, and a thermoelectric material layer and a heat-conducting coating layer are provided on the surface of the palm side; A temperature sensor capable of directly contacting the hand is provided inside the glove body; The double-layer elastomer is arranged at the finger joints and the wrist joints, and includes a lower non-phase change elastomer and an upper liquid-gas phase change elastomer. The non-phase change elastomer is in direct contact with the surface of the back side of the glove body. A temperature-controlled resistance wire is embedded inside the liquid-gas phase change elastomer. The resistance wire heats up to cause the liquid-gas phase change elastomer to change shape and the double-layer elastomer to bend and deform, adjusting the joint mobility; The heat-insulating coating layer is used to coat the double-layer elastomer; The thermoelectric material layer is arranged at non-finger joints and non-wrist joints, and includes a semiconductor material, a conductive material and a packaging material. The thermoelectric material layer realizes refrigeration or heating based on the Peltier effect; The heat-conducting coating layer is used to coat the thermoelectric material layer.

2. The adjustable range of joint movement cold and hot portable gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature sensor is a thermal resistance temperature sensor.

3. The adjustable range of joint movement cold and hot portable gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that The non-phase change elastomer is a silicone rubber elastomer or a polyurethane elastomer, and the thickness of the non-phase change elastomer is 2.5 - 5 mm.

4. The adjustable range of joint motion hot and cold portable gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid-gas phase change elastomer includes a matrix and a phase change material uniformly dispersed in the matrix. The matrix is a silicone rubber elastomer or a polyurethane elastomer. The boiling point of the phase change material ≤ 80 °C, and the thickness of the liquid-gas phase change elastomer is 5 - 10 mm.

5. The adjustable range of joint motion hot and cold portable gloves according to claim 4, characterized in that, The phase change material includes electronic fluorinated liquid, ethanol or perfluorohexane.

6. The adjustable joint range of motion cold and hot portable gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat-insulating material used to prepare the back side of the glove body is selected from aluminosilicate fiber, silica-based aerogel, graphene flexible heat-insulating film or ceramic fiber cloth.

7. The adjustable range of joint movement cold and heat portable gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the thermoelectric material layer is 10 - 15 mm, and the semiconductor material is silicon carbide or bismuth telluride.

8. The adjustable range of joint movement cold and heat portable glove according to claim 1, wherein The heat-conducting material used to prepare the palm side of the glove body is selected from natural fiber, synthetic fiber or rubber.

9. The adjustable joint range of motion cold and hot portable glove according to claim 1, wherein The cold and hot type portable glove with adjustable joint mobility further includes a control component. The control component includes a drive control sensing chip, a temperature control sensing chip, a thermoelectric material feedback control system and a power supply; The drive control sensing chip is used to independently control the bending deformation degree of the double-layer elastomer at each finger joint and wrist joint, and then independently control the mobility of each finger joint and wrist joint; The temperature control sensing chip is used to control the refrigeration and heating of the thermoelectric material, so as to realize cold and hot alternation to improve the circulation; The thermoelectric material feedback control system is used to send a thermal feedback control signal to the temperature control sensing chip.

10. The adjustable range-of-joint-motion cold and hot portable gloves according to claim 9, characterized in that, The temperature control range of the temperature control sensing chip is 10 °C - 40 °C, and the time of each cold cycle or hot cycle is maintained at 10 s - 15 min, and the cold cycle and hot cycle are alternately repeated.

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