Non-invasive Anti-tremor gloves for parkinson's disease

Abstract

Offering a solution to the tremor problem experienced by Parkinson's patients, the reverse current non-invasive glove is a device that aims to stop involuntary movements in the muscles by using electrical current. The glove sends low-intensity electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin. This current reverses and controls tremors occurring in the muscles. The glove allows for the adjustment of parameters such as current intensity, frequency, and duration to provide personalized treatment. Its ergonomic, flexible, and comfortable design ensures comfort during prolonged use. Furthermore, its wireless operation and safety features offer the user freedom of movement and a safe treatment experience. This innovative device allows Parkinson's patients to move more independently in daily life, while offering a significant solution as a non-invasive alternative to treatment.

Description

[0001] NON-INVASIVE ANTI-TREMOR GLOVES FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention belongs to the field of health technologies and medical devices. In particular, it comprises non-invasive treatment methods for controlling muscle tremors and spasms caused by Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

[0004] The technical field encompasses disciplines such as wearable medical devices, electrical stimulation therapies, biomedical engineering, and therapeutic solutions targeting the neuromuscular system. The developed glove is used as part of electrical stimulation technologies applied to the neuromuscular system, both to correct motor control disorders and to improve the quality of life of patients.

[0005] Furthermore, the technical scope of the invention can be evaluated within the areas of neurological rehabilitation devices and portable medical product design. This is a sub-specialization that aims to develop non-invasive, portable, and patient-friendly solutions in modem healthcare.

[0006] State of the Art

[0007] Tremors and muscle spasms seen in Parkinson's disease are motor symptoms that severely limit patients' ability to perform daily activities. Current methods used to control these symptoms can be divided into three main groups: pharmacological, surgical, and non-invasive techniques. However, the limitations and effectiveness levels of each method are far from fully meeting the needs of Parkinson's patients.

[0008] Pharmacological methods are among the most common applications in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Drugs like levodopa and dopamine agonists reduce tremors by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. However, these medications do not completely eliminate symptoms and may lose their effectiveness in the long term. In addition, side effects such as nausea, hypotension, and motor fluctuations can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical method, offers an effective solution for tremor and other motor symptoms. Electrical stimulation is provided through electrodes placed in specific areas of the brain. However, due to its high cost, risk of complications, and invasive nature, this method is not suitable for every patient. Another non-surgical technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can provide temporary relief by applying low-intensity electrical current to motor control areas in the brain. However, this method is effective but does not offer a long-term solution.

[0009] Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) aims to induce muscle contraction by electrically stimulating the motor nerves of the muscles. These devices are widely used in fields such as sports rehabilitation or restoring muscle function after a stroke. However, EMS devices have limited effectiveness in stopping tremors and muscle spasms in Parkinson's disease. In addition, current devices are generally based on the positive current principle; innovative approaches such as reverse current application are not yet used in Parkinson's treatment [1 ,2],

[0010] Wearable devices include products that provide mechanical stabilization to reduce tremors in Parkinson's patients. These vibration-dampening devices aim to reduce mechanical vibration, allowing patients to have more control over their hand movements. However, such devices do not directly address the neurological origin of the tremor and do not focus on direct electrical stimulation of the muscles.

[0011] When all existing methods are evaluated, it is clear that Parkinson's patients need a non-invasive, portable, and effective solution to control tremors and muscle spasms. In this context, an innovative glove design that aims to inhibit muscle tremors and contractions using reverse electrical current has the potential to fill a significant gap, both technically and clinically. This approach differs from existing methods because it offers a non-invasive solution and supports daily living activities.

[0012] Brief Description and Objects of the Invention

[0013] This project presents an innovative glove design aimed at providing a solution to the tremor problem experienced by Parkinson's patients. Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that causes patients to experience involuntary muscle movements and tremors. These tremors create significant difficulties for patients in their daily lives, restrict their mobility, and negatively affect their independence.

[0014] The object of the glove is to control tremors and prevent muscle spasms in Parkinson's patients. The glove uses reverse electrical current technology to send a mild electrical stimulus to the muscles. This electrical current helps stop unnecessary muscle contractions and tremors. The glove helps Parkinson's patients move more stably and controllably by suppressing involuntary muscle movements in their bodies.

[0015] Patient comfort is a top priority in the design of this glove. Made with a lightweight, flexible, and comfortable material, it is designed not to hinder patients' daily activities. Furthermore, the electrical current can be adjusted to a safe level in accordance with medical standards, thus acting without causing any side effects on the patient.

[0016] The project's objects are as follows:

[0017] Tremor Control: The goal is to stop involuntary tremors in Parkinson's patients, thereby enabling them to move with less difficulty.

[0018] Improving Quality of Life: The goal is to improve patients' quality of life by enabling them to lead more independent daily lives.

[0019] Comfortable to Use: The goal is to provide ease of use even during prolonged periods with a user-friendly design that prioritizes patient comfort.

[0020] Advanced Treatment Option: The goal is to o offer a non-surgical treatment option as an alternative to drug therapy.

[0021] This technology could offer a revolutionary solution for individuals struggling with tremors and spasms due to Parkinson's disease.

[0022] Description of Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 : Front perspective view of the non-invasive anti-tremor gloves for Parkinson's disease

[0024] Definitions of Elements / Parts that Constitute the Invention 1 . Reverse electrical current circuit

[0025] 2. Circuit connection with rechargeable battery.

[0026] 3. Digital control unit

[0027] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0028] Parkinson's disease typically causes involuntary tremors, which severely limit patients' ability to perform daily activities. This non-invasive glove, which is developed to control tremors, stops tremors using reverse current, is an effective device for solving this problem. The glove works by stopping vibrations using reverse electrical current. Here is a detailed explanation of the glove's technical specifications, working principle, and how it stops tremors:

[0029] Technical Properties

[0030] Reverse Current Technology: The glove's basic working principle is to prevent involuntary muscle contractions by using reverse current. The glove reverses the electrical potential differences that build up in the muscles through electrodes placed on the surface of the skin. This eliminates tremors and spasms. This glove reverses muscle tremors by sending low-intensity electrical impulses through electrodes. These stimuli, applied in the opposite direction to the muscle's own electrical activity, balance the abnormal movements within the muscle, thus reducing tremor. The concept of ‘reverse current’ used here is not based on direct DC stimulation, but rather on the principle of modulating the muscle activity that produces the tremor with an anti-phase stimulus. The mechanism of muscle stimulation works as follows: The device suppresses involuntary muscle contractions by targeting proprioceptive feedback mechanisms and intramuscular motor neurons. It regulates abnormal motor signals by acting on muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs through low-frequency neuromuscular stimulation. Frequency and intensity can be individually adjusted depending on the patient's tremor severity, thus optimizing the neuromodulation effect. Applying low-frequency current to muscle fibers via electrodes stabilizes abnormal biopotentials within the muscle, thereby reducing tremors. The feedback mechanism works as follows: The glove detects tremor frequency and amplitude using built-in accelerometers and EMG sensors. This data is analyzed by the digital control unit, which generates an anti-phase electrical stimulus to correspond to the tremor. The system provides optimal stimulation by automatically modulating according to the patient's tremor characteristics using a feedback algorithm. Electrical Current Modulation: The electronic module inside the glove controls the frequency and intensity of the electrical current. This module can be specifically adjusted to address muscle movements associated with Parkinson's disease, allowing for customized treatment for each patient.

[0031] Electrodes: The inside of the glove contains sensitive electrodes that are placed on the patient's hand. These electrodes send electrical impulses by making contact with the skin's surface. The electrodes act on the muscles under the skin, stopping the tremor.

[0032] Safety Properties: The gloves are designed according to medical standards to ensure patient safety. The electrical current is strong enough to stop the tremors, and high voltage is avoided. In addition, the device's intensity is adjustable, offering personalized treatment options for each individual.

[0033] Lightweight and Flexible Design: The gloves are made from lightweight, flexible, and breathable materials for comfortable use by patients. It also offers comfort even during prolonged use with the help of its ergonomic design.

[0034] Wireless Usage: Modern technology has made the glove wireless, allowing patients to move more freely. This allows patients to be more independent in their daily lives. Wireless operation will be possible with the help of the rechargeable battery.

[0035] Digital Control Unit: A digital control unit included with the glove allows the user to adjust treatment parameters. This unit optimizes current intensity, frequency, and usage time according to individual needs.

[0036] Operating Principle

[0037] In Parkinson's patients, muscles struggle to communicate with the brain in a coordinated manner, leading to involuntary muscle contractions and tremors. The glove works by using reverse current technology to suppress these involuntary muscle contractions and stop tremors. Transmitting Electrical Stimulation: When the electrodes inside the glove are placed on the patient's hand, an electrical current is transmitted. This current is usually of low intensity and low frequency.

[0038] Reverse Current Application: When current is transmitted to muscles, it works in the opposite direction to the muscle's own electrical potential. This reverse current prevents the muscle from making involuntary movements by mistake and stops the tremor. Reverse current flow ensures proper muscle relaxation.

[0039] Frequency and Intensity Setting: The module inside the glove provides a frequency and intensity setting specifically designed according to the patient's tremors. These settings improve the device's performance. Since each patient has a different type of tremor, it allows for individualized treatment.

[0040] Feedback and Settings: The effect of the current is felt in the patients' hands, but the tremor begins to visibly decrease. The control unit allows for adjustment of the power and frequency of the current used during the treatment process.

[0041] Voluntary Muscle Movements and Muscle Relaxation: Only involuntary tremors are stopped with the help of the reverse current, while the glove does not restrict the user's other muscle movements. This means that patients can continue to perform their daily activities using their hands.

[0042] Benefits and Applications

[0043] Non-invasiveand Safe: One of the advantages of the glove is that it does not require surgical intervention and offers a completely non-invasive solution. Patients receive treatment comfortably without any surgical procedures or needle use.

[0044] Fast Effect: Electrical current can quickly inhibit muscle tremors, allowing patients to perform daily tasks more easily.

[0045] Personalized Treatment: This glove allows the user to adjust the treatment parameters according to their needs, as the severity of tremors varies from person to person.

[0046] High Patient Compliance: Users can easily put on and take off the gloves, making the treatment process more convenient. Result

[0047] Developed to address tremor problems experienced by Parkinson's patients, this non-invasive glove, which uses reverse current, aims to improve patients' quality of life by stopping involuntary muscle contractions and tremors. Electrical current technology enables patients to lead more independent daily lives. This design offers an effective and safe treatment alternative for Parkinson's disease.

[0048] References

[0049] [1] Brinker, D., Smilowska, K., Paschen, S., Antonini, A., Moro, E., & Deuschi, G. (2024). How to Use the New European Academy of Neurology / Movement Disorder Society European Section Guideline for Invasive Therapies in Parkinson's Disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, 11 (3), 209-219.

[0050] [2] Moreau, C., Rouaud, T, Grabli, D., Benatru, I., Remy, P., Marques, A. R., ... & Fabbri, M. (2023). Overview on wearable sensors for the management of Parkinson’s disease, npj Parkinson's Disease, 9(1 ), 153.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anti-tremor glove designed to stop involuntary tremors in a person's muscles, comprising; at least one reverse electrical current circuit (1 ) that enables the electrical current of the glove to be modulated according to the reverse current principle in such a way as to reverse the involuntary contractions and tremors in the muscles, a circuit connection with at least one rechargeable battery (2) that enables the user to move around without being tied to any location during use by using a wireless connection, the glove to operate wirelessly, and at least one digital control unit (3) that controls the glove, allows the patient to monitor the treatment process, can personalize the current intensity, frequency and treatment duration according to the user's tremor intensity, and can adjust the personalization according to the user's preferences.

2. Anti-tremor gloves according to claim 1 , comprising reverse electrical current circuit (1 ) which sends electrical stimuli to the muscles via electrodes integrated into the glove and in contact with the skin.

3. Anti-tremor gloves according to claim 1 , comprising an electrical current modulation system inside the glove allows the user to adjust the current intensity and frequency according to their needs.

Images