Tilt compensation for tremor cancellation device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Essential Tremor, such as pharmacological treatments and deep brain stimulation, are ineffective and invasive, and handheld tools that stabilize tremors often fail to account for low-frequency tilt motions, leading to instability and loss of control during daily activities.
Innovation Solution
A handheld tool equipped with a motion tracking module using sensors and actuators to detect and compensate for both high-frequency tremors and low-frequency tilt motions, preventing the attachment arm from hitting a hard stop and maintaining stability during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a handheld tool uses a motion tracking module to compensate for high-frequency tremors, then tremor stabilization is improved, but low-frequency tilt motions are not addressed causing the attachment arm to hit hard stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motion compensation function into two distinct components: high-frequency tremor compensation and low-frequency tilt compensation. This is achieved by dividing the control signal processing into separate pathways - one handling high-frequency tremor signals and another handling low-frequency tilt signals, allowing each to be optimized independently without interfering with the other function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the attachment arm's equilibrium position based on detected tilt motions. The system continuously monitors tilt and dynamically shifts the neutral position to prevent hard stop engagement, making the system adaptable to varying tilt conditions while maintaining tremor compensation effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the attachment arm is designed with a limited range of motion to prevent hard stop impacts, then device safety is improved, but the ability to compensate for tilt motions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting tilt motions before they cause hard stop impacts and preemptively adjusting the attachment arm's equilibrium position. The system anticipates potential hard stop engagement by monitoring tilt trends and shifting the neutral position in advance, preventing the harmful impact before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism that mediates between the tilt detection system and the attachment arm actuator. This intermediary layer processes tilt information and generates appropriate equilibrium position adjustments, serving as a buffer that prevents direct hard stop impacts while maintaining system responsiveness.
3Reliability
If pharmacological treatments or deep brain stimulation are used to treat tremors, then tremor severity is reduced, but the treatments are invasive or ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive medical interventions with a mechanical stabilization system. Instead of using drugs or brain surgery, the device employs motion sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to mechanically counteract tremor movements, providing an non-invasive alternative that achieves similar stabilization goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the handheld tool to autonomously detect and compensate for tremor movements without requiring external medical intervention. The system uses onboard sensors to monitor user movements and automatically generates compensatory signals, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating the need for ongoing pharmacological or surgical treatments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of tremor reduction in a handheld device includes measuring a tremor motion and a tilt motion with a motion tracking module (“MTM”) disposed in a housing of the handheld device. In response to measuring the tremor motion, an attachment arm is moved with at least one motion generating mechanism to reduce the tremor motion in the attachment arm. Additionally, in response to measuring the tilt motion, the attachment arm is moved with the at least one motion generating mechanism to resist the attachment arm hitting a hard stop in the handheld device.