Handgrip Relaxometer for Continuous Grip Contraction and Relaxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying myotonic dystrophy symptoms, such as handgrip myotonia, are limited by the inability to measure continuous muscle force during relaxation and are not suitable for weaker muscles or mild cases, and existing devices are costly and obtrusive.
Innovation Solution
A handgrip device and system that measures both muscle contraction and relaxation forces using load cells or servomotors, allowing for continuous force measurement and minimizing interaction with wrist, elbow, and shoulder muscles, while being cost-effective and mobile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If handheld dynamometers are used to measure grip strength, then measurement capability is provided, but they cannot measure continuous force during relaxation and require specific positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical handheld dynamometers with a force sensor integrated into a glove, enabling continuous force measurement during relaxation without requiring specific hand positions. The force sensor detects muscle tension directly through the glove material, eliminating position constraints inherent in handheld devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The glove-based system provides multi-functional measurement capabilities, detecting both grip strength and relaxation forces across various hand positions and muscle groups. This universal approach allows measurement of continuous force during both contraction and relaxation phases, unlike specialized handheld dynamometers.
2Measurement precision
If costly and obtrusive handheld dynamometers are used, then grip strength measurement is achieved, but they are not suitable for weaker muscles and mild cases of myotonia
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into distributed force sensors integrated throughout the glove structure, allowing detection of subtle muscle forces from weaker muscles and mild myotonia cases. This segmentation enables sensitive measurement across multiple hand regions without requiring a single complex device.
Solution Approach 2:
The glove-based system eliminates the need for external handheld devices, making the measurement apparatus self-contained and portable. The force sensor integrated into the glove provides sensitive detection capabilities while maintaining user comfort and ease of use for weaker muscles.
3Duration of action of moving object
If traditional measurement methods are used, then grip strength can be measured, but they cannot measure both contraction and relaxation forces continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor continuously measures muscle forces throughout the entire exercise protocol, capturing both contraction and relaxation phases without interruption. This continuous measurement approach preserves all force data including relaxation forces that would be missed by traditional discrete measurement methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback through continuous force measurement during both contraction and relaxation, enabling immediate detection of myotonic dystrophy symptoms. The continuous data stream allows for comprehensive analysis of muscle behavior throughout the entire exercise duration.
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
Provides accurate and comfortable measurements of grip strength and muscle relaxation, enabling the identification and characterization of myotonic dystrophy symptoms, suitable for various muscle strengths and positions, and facilitating therapeutic response assessment.
Implementation Method 1
The device can include a load cell operable to measure a force provided by the user
Data Source
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AI summary
A handgrip device has a palm rest operable to engage with a palm of a user, a grip bar moveably coupled with the palm rest and operable to engage with one or more fingers of a user. One or more force transducers can be disposed between the palm rest and the grip bar to measure a compression rate and the return rate of the grip bar relative to the palm rest, and a data connection operable to communicate the compression rate and the return rate.