Hand Therapy Kit with Graded Putty for Functional Simulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand therapy exercise tools and techniques are limited and ineffective in addressing the functional deficits and limitations of patients post-distal radius fracture, such as radial/ulnar deviation and fine motor skills deficits.

Innovation Solution

A kit of components including exercise tools and graded resistance therapeutic putty, featuring various shaped tools like bolts, nuts, and pegs designed for insertion and manipulation within the putty to provide progressive resistance, allowing patients to perform hand and forearm exercises that simulate daily activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hand therapy exercise tools are used, then the treatment can be administered, but the tools are limited and ineffective in addressing functional deficits and limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of therapyVSAvoidfunctional simulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal therapy kit that can address multiple functional deficits (radial/ulnar deviation, fine motor skills, grip strength) using a single integrated system of tools and graded putty, making the therapy adaptable to various patient needs post-fracture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements graded resistance putty with varying consistency levels (soft, medium, firm, hard) to progressively challenge patient capabilities, allowing the therapy to adapt as patient strength improves while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If simple exercise tools are used, then the device complexity is low, but the tools cannot provide graded resistance and functional simulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraded resistance capabilityVSAvoidkit component variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the therapy system into segmented components: multiple tool types (knob turn tool, key turn tool, bolt turn tool, etc.) and graded putty containers, allowing patients to progress through different resistance levels while maintaining manageable individual tool complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests multiple tool types within a single carrying case, with each tool designed to work with the putty system, creating a compact integrated kit that provides comprehensive therapy without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If fixed resistance tools are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the tools cannot provide progressive resistance for gradual improvement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogressive improvement rateVSAvoidputty grading system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the resistance parameter of the putty by creating four distinct consistency levels (soft, medium, firm, hard), allowing progressive resistance increase without complicating the basic putty formulation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If no organized kit is provided, then the device complexity is low, but there is no structured exercise program for gradual improvement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy structurednessVSAvoidkit organization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the therapy system in advance by organizing tools and graded putty into a carrying case with compartments, and provides instruction sheets with exercise protocols, allowing patients to begin structured therapy immediately without additional setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 kit provides effective functional simulation and graded resistance, enabling patients to gradually improve hand and forearm functions, addressing the limitations and deficits through a structured exercise program.

Implementation Method 1

at least one container of graded resistance therapeutic exercise putty

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGraded resistance: Friction

Implementation Method 2

therapeutic putty of various resistances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8764613B1Hand therapy exercise tools, and kit of components

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 GOLDBERG ELLIOTT

AI summary

A kit of components of a multi-functional group of hand/forearm exercise tools wherein each tool permits the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination, or permits the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt.