Hand-Wearable Sensor Mounting System for Dexterous Therapy Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer game-based solutions for upper extremity (UE) therapy do not adequately address the need for dexterous hand movement practice, as they fail to track hand and finger movements effectively, and existing wearable systems are not easily sanitized, adaptable, or stable for diverse hand sizes and handedness.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a hand-wearable sensor mounting system with detachable sensing transducers and a movement interpretation circuit, including interlocking clips and hooks, that securely attaches to the hand, allowing for accurate tracking of hand movements and is easily sanitized and adaptable to different hand sizes and handedness, combined with a computer-implemented method for UE therapy that uses virtual world-based software for practice of activities of daily living.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If motion capture cameras (e.g., Microsoft Kinect) are used for UE therapy, then shoulder and elbow exercise is provided, but hand movement tracking is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand movement trackingVSAvoidhand size and handedness adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the hand tracking function into multiple independent wearable sensors placed on different fingers and hand segments. Each sensor independently measures local movement, and the system reconstructs complete hand motion through data integration, enabling precise hand movement tracking that camera-based systems cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable sensor system is designed to be universally applicable to different hand sizes and both right and left-handed users. The sensors can be configured in various arrangements (e.g., on fingers, wrist, or palm) and adjusted to fit different anatomies, making the system adaptable to diverse patient populations while maintaining accurate hand movement tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If wearable sensor systems are used for hand tracking, then hand movement tracking is achieved, but ease of sanitation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand movement trackingVSAvoidease of sanitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable system is divided into separate, modular sensor components that can be individually removed and sanitized. Each sensor unit can be detached from the mounting structure and cleaned independently, facilitating easy sanitation while maintaining continuous hand movement tracking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing elements are extracted as detachable components from the wearable structure, allowing them to be removed for sanitation purposes. The mounting system retains the ability to quickly reattach sanitized sensors, ensuring both ease of cleaning and continuous operation for accurate hand movement tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If fixed wearable sensor systems are used, then stable attachment is achieved, but adaptability to different hand sizes and handedness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidhand size and handedness adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable mounting system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that can be dynamically adapted to different hand sizes and handedness. Sensors can be repositioned along flexible mounting structures or reattached in mirrored configurations for left vs. right hands, maintaining stable attachment while providing versatility across diverse users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If camera-based motion capture is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but hand dexterity practice tracking is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfinger and hand movement tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex camera-based optical tracking with simpler wearable inertial sensors that directly measure hand and finger movement. This substitution maintains relative system simplicity while dramatically improving the precision of finger and hand movement tracking, enabling effective dexterity practice monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11696704B1System, device and method for tracking the human hand for upper extremity therapy

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 BARRON ASSOCS

AI summary

Embodiments of the presently described device, system and method support upper extremity (UE) therapy through tracking the human hand. The system can include a hand-wearable sensor mounting system with hand-wearable components and a movement interpretation circuit. The device can include a hand-wearable component comprising a hook, and a sensing transducer comprising a clip, wherein the clip is detachably securable to the hook. In embodiments, one or more sensing transducers are translationally and rotationally restricted when secured to the hand-wearable components.