Custom Mouse Button Finger Rests for Hand Deformities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with hand-related disabilities, such as rheumatoid arthritis, face significant challenges in using traditional computer mice due to finger deformities that make it difficult to operate the left and right buttons effectively.
Innovation Solution
A customizable accessory for a computer mouse featuring patient-specific finger rests and mounting pieces that are either fixedly or removably attached, allowing for improved alignment and operation of the mouse buttons, even with finger deformities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional computer mouse is used, then the device structure remains simple and standard, but individuals with finger deformities cannot effectively operate the buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an accessory as an intermediary device that attaches to the standard mouse. This accessory includes mounting pieces with contours matching the mouse buttons and troughs that accommodate deformed fingers, enabling individuals with finger deformities to operate the mouse without modifying the original device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory is divided into separate functional components: mounting pieces that attach to individual buttons, connecting members that join the mounting pieces, and troughs that fit over deformed fingers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a customizable accessory with patient-specific finger rests is added, then ease of operation for individuals with deformities is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory implements local quality by providing patient-specific customization only where needed - in the troughs that contact the deformed fingers. The mounting pieces and connecting members maintain standard, non-customized structures, thereby achieving adaptability without excessive complexity throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory is designed to attach to standard computer mice, making it universally compatible. The mounting pieces are configured to match standard button contours, allowing the same accessory design to work with different mice while still providing patient-specific finger accommodation through the customizable troughs.
3Reliability
If fixed attachment means are used, then reliability of button operation is improved, but ease of repair and adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory employs dynamic attachment characteristics - the mounting pieces can be firmly attached when stability is needed, but the connecting members allow for disassembly and reconfiguration when adjustment or repair is required. This dynamic nature enables the system to transition between stable operation and easy modification as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting pieces are pre-configured with contours that match standard mouse buttons, allowing for reliable attachment without requiring complex customization during installation. The patient-specific troughs can be separately adjusted or replaced without affecting the fundamental attachment to the mouse, enabling preliminary preparation of components for both reliability and ease of repair.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for a computer mouse, the computer mouse having a body, a first button having a first contour, and a second button having a second contour, the accessory including a first attachment means having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the distal surface fixedly secured to the first button of the computer mouse, the distal surface configured to have the first contour, a first trough fixedly secured to the proximal surface of the first attachment means, the first trough having a first patient-specific finger rest configuration, a second attachment means having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the distal surface fixedly secured to the second button of the computer mouse, the distal surface configured to have the second contour, and a second trough fixedly secured to the proximal surface of the second attachment means, the second trough having a second patient-specific finger rest configuration.