Flexible sliding mechanism for extending fingers

The user-wearable hand orthosis addresses issues of hyperextension and discomfort in tendon-driven devices by using a sliding mechanism on the dorsal support to enhance finger extension, providing effective grasping assistance with reduced bulk and improved adaptability.

JP2026514569APending Publication Date: 2026-05-12UNIVERSITY OF HEIDELBERG
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025560334
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-05-10
Filing Date
2024-05-08
Publication Date
2026-05-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing tendon-driven wearable hand orthoses face issues such as finger hyperextension, discomfort due to tendon tension, bulkiness, and insufficient gripping force, particularly for individuals with spastic hands.

Method used

A user-wearable hand orthosis with a sliding mechanism that utilizes the flat area of the back of the hand for finger extension, employing a sliding element along a track on the dorsal support, connected by a tendon or actuator, to provide sufficient extension force while minimizing mechanical complexity and discomfort.

Benefits of technology

The orthosis effectively assists grasping movements with reduced mechanical complexity, weight, and discomfort, ensuring safe finger extension without hyperextension, and improved adaptability for various hand conditions.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a user-wearable hand orthosis, the user-wearable hand orthosis comprising a support structure (100) having a dorsal support portion (110) configured to be worn on at least a portion of the back of the user's hand, wherein the dorsal support portion (110) has a first surface on the dorsal side of the dorsal support portion (110) and a second surface on the opposite side of the dorsal side of the dorsal support portion (110), and is configured to be movable along a track on the second surface side of the dorsal support portion (110) between a first end position and a second end position. The invention comprises a slide mechanism (200) having a slide element (210), and at least one finger module (300) configured to be attached to at least one finger of the user's hand, wherein each of the at least one finger module (300) has a distal portion (310) configured to be attached to at least one distal portion of at least one finger, and a slide element connector (340) configured to be connectable to the slide element (210).
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