Modular Ring Hand Device for Motor and Cognitive Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rehabilitation devices for motor and cognitive functions, especially for the hand, are large, costly, and not suitable for home use, limiting their application to hospital environments and failing to effectively address the complex rehabilitation needs of patients with severe hand motor deficits and cognitive impairments.
Innovation Solution
A portable, modular device with four independent ring-shaped modules, each equipped with a pushbutton, pressure sensors, LEDs, and a sound emitter, allowing for adjustable ergonomic design and data collection via a microprocessor, enabling simultaneous motor and cognitive function recovery and evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large-sized robot devices are used for hand motor rehabilitation, then rehabilitation effectiveness is improved, but device portability and home usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into four independent ring-shaped modules that can be joined and snapped together. Each ring module is provided with a pushbutton and sensors, and the rings can be rotated independently about the main axis. This segmentation allows the device to be compact and portable while maintaining rehabilitation effectiveness through independent finger interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The four ring-shaped modules are nested concentrically around a common axis, with each ring positioned at a different diameter. This nesting arrangement allows the device to maintain a compact form factor for portability while providing sufficient interaction surface area for effective hand rehabilitation across multiple fingers simultaneously.
2Reliability
If specialized rehabilitation devices are used, then motor and cognitive function recovery is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides multi-functionality by combining motor rehabilitation (through pushbutton pressing with pressure sensors) and cognitive rehabilitation (through LED/sound feedback sequences) in a single system. The microprocessor controls multiple functions including data collection, feedback emission, and protocol management, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive rehabilitation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges motor and cognitive rehabilitation functions into a single integrated system. The four ring modules with pushbuttons combine tactile motor interaction with visual (LED) and auditory (sound emitter) feedback, allowing simultaneous evaluation and training of both motor and cognitive functions through unified control.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-design rehabilitation devices are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different hand sizes and patients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic adjustability through independent rotation of each ring module about the main axis. This allows the position of each pushbutton to be adjusted to match the position of each finger for different hand sizes. The rings can be rotated to achieve optimal ergonomic positioning, making the fixed-structure device adaptable to various patients while maintaining simple manufacturing of the modular components.
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 device facilitates effective and adjustable rehabilitation and evaluation of hand motor and cognitive functions in a home setting, providing customizable training and evaluation protocols, data storage, and remote monitoring, enhancing patient recovery and quality of life.
Implementation Method 1
Each ring module is provided with a pushbutton at its surface associated with at least a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
LEDs or a sound emitting device that emits a programmable signal
Implementation Method 3
sound emitting device that emits a programmable multi tone signal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Hand device for evaluating and recovering affected cognitive and motor functions, the device having the shape of a cylinder with an inner hollow axis and being made up of four independent ring-shaped modules (1a-1d), the rings being capable of rotating independently about the main axis of the device, each ring being provided with a LED (4a-4d), a push button (2a-2d) and a corresponding pressure sensor (3a-3d), an analog to digital converter (5), and a sound emitting device for emitting a programmable multi tone signal, and a controller and microprocessor for receiving the signals generated by the pressure sensors and send signals to the emitters via cables, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.