Hand Exerciser Assembly with Temperature Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current exercise machines for hand rehabilitation, particularly for conditions like arthritis, strokes, and trauma, are often painful and inconvenient, leading to inadequate frequency of use due to their inefficiency in improving hand flexibility and strength.

Innovation Solution

A hand exerciser assembly that modulates temperature and movement, allowing for selective heating or cooling and controlled mechanical exercise of hand muscles, including the use of a base, hand exerciser, attachment mechanism, and engine, with a controller to manage exercises and user interface for secure and customizable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional exercise machines are used for hand rehabilitation, then hand exercise function is provided, but the treatment is painful and inconvenient leading to insufficient usage frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of hand exerciseVSAvoidusage frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modulating temperature (heating or cooling) of the hand exerciser assembly to provide soothing effects before, during, or after exercise routines. This temperature parameter modification makes the treatment more comfortable and convenient for patients, thereby increasing usage frequency and reliability of rehabilitation therapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If hand exercise routines are performed manually by patients, then hand movement is achieved, but the exercise is painful and requires patient effort limiting effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise effectivenessVSAvoidpatient effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand exerciser assembly performs the exercise routine automatically without requiring the patient to manually move their hand. The system self-executes the exercise program through automated mechanical movement of the hand exerciser, eliminating the need for patient effort while maintaining or improving exercise effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (patient moving their own hand) with an automated mechanical system (motor-driven hand exerciser assembly). This substitution eliminates the need for patient effort while providing controlled, effective exercise movements that can exceed the patient's voluntary range of motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hand exerciser assembly moves hand beyond patient's range of motion, then flexibility is increased, but pain may increase without temperature modulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of motion improvementVSAvoidpain during exercise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by heating or cooling the hand exerciser assembly before initiating exercise routines that move the hand beyond the patient's normal range of motion. This preliminary temperature modulation prepares the tissue and reduces pain, enabling the patient to tolerate and benefit from extended range of motion exercises

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of moving the hand beyond its range of motion (which would normally cause pain) into a beneficial effect by combining it with temperature modulation. The temperature control transforms what would be a painful stimulus into a therapeutic opportunity that increases flexibility while soothing the hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective hand rehabilitation by increasing flexibility beyond the patient's range of motion, soothing the hand, and facilitating movement through customizable temperature and movement settings, reducing pain and improving convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature conducting material (e.g., steel, copper, or both) can be included in the hand exerciser assembly and can be used in at least one of heating and cooling the hand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20210038461A1Hand exerciser devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2021.02.11 JOHNSON CLARENCE

AI summary

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods relating to A hand exerciser assembly can include a base, a hand exerciser, a hand attachment mechanism, and a hand exerciser engine. The base can be configured to support the hand exerciser assembly. The hand exerciser can be coupled to the base and configured to removably receive a hand of a user and to exercise hand, wrist, or both muscle groups and to isolate a digit of the hand to be exercised. The hand attachment mechanism coupled to the hand exerciser and configured to secure the hand to the hand exerciser. The hand exerciser engine operatively coupled to the hand exerciser and configured to cause the hand exerciser to exercise the hand.