Hand Splint With Dynamic Hinge for Spasticity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current splint designs for neurologically impaired hands often cause joint deformities due to the hand's tendency to contract against rigid splints, as they force the hand into an outstretched position, which can lead to further tissue shortening and increased hypertonicity and spasticity.
Innovation Solution
A hand splint with a forearm component and a hand component featuring adjustable hinges and malleable sections that allow for customizable support, including energy-storing materials to gently urge the hand into extension, accommodating the natural flexion of the hand while preventing excessive contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid splint forces the hand into an outstretched position, then the hand is positioned for extension to prevent muscle contracture, but the hand continues to move into flexion against the rigid splint causing joint deformities and increased tissue shortening
Solution Approach 1:
The splint incorporates a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows controlled movement between flexed and extended positions. The hinge includes a spring element that provides continuous tension toward extension while permitting the hand to move naturally into flexion without causing joint deformities. This dynamic system adapts to the hand's natural movements while maintaining therapeutic extension force.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint features adjustable parameters including hinge tension, hinge angle, and splint positioning that can be modified to match the patient's specific condition and progression. The spring tension can be adjusted to provide appropriate continuous force, and the hinge can be set to different angular positions to accommodate varying degrees of flexion/extension requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a static hand piece is used to maintain the hand in an outstretched position, then the hand is held in extension, but the hand's natural flexion movement causes continuous contraction against the rigid splint leading to joint damage
Solution Approach 1:
The static hand piece is replaced with a dynamic hinge mechanism that maintains stability through controlled movement. The hinge allows the hand to flex and extend naturally while the spring element continuously pulls toward extension, providing stable positioning without rigidity that would cause joint damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary between the rigid forearm component and the hand, allowing controlled movement and force transmission. The spring element within the hinge serves as a mediator that provides continuous extension force while accommodating natural hand flexion movements, preventing direct rigid contact between the splint and hand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the splint uses fixed positioning to accommodate the hand's current length, then the splint can be adjusted in incremental units toward extension, but it does not provide continuous force in extension allowing the hand to slip into flexion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element in the dynamic hinge provides continuous tension toward extension throughout the range of motion. As the hand moves into flexion, the spring continuously pulls back toward extension, maintaining constant therapeutic force without interruption or loss of positioning control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed positioning system is replaced with a dynamic hinge that automatically adjusts to the hand's movements while maintaining continuous extension force. The spring-tensioned hinge moves with the hand's natural flexion/extension while continuously applying corrective force toward the extended position.
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
The splint effectively reduces joint deformities by allowing for a more natural range of motion, reducing tissue shortening, and managing hypertonicity and spasticity through adjustable and energy-storing components, promoting a more effective and comfortable stretching of the hand's muscles.
Implementation Method 1
energy-storing materials to gently urge the hand into extension
Data Source
AI summary
A hand splint includes a forearm component, a strut mounted on the forearm component, and a hand component mounted on the strut such that a spacing is defined between the hand component and the forearm component. The hand component is configured to receive the volar surface of at least one of the digits of a user's hand and may include a resilient section for generating a continuous restoring force in response to bending.