Upper Extremity Orthotic with Dynamic Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with hemiparesis or hemiplegia face significant difficulties in performing everyday tasks due to weakness or paralysis in one side of their body, which hinders bimanual activities that require coordinated use of both hands.
Innovation Solution
An orthotic device is designed with a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller that allows users to adjust the operation of the hand portion through input signals, enabling grasping, releasing, and alternating between open and closed positions, using mechanisms like momentary switches, toggle switches, and electrically-actuated clutches to assist in upper extremity mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a powered hand portion with multiple control modes is implemented, then the ability to perform complex tasks is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different control modes (toggle switch mode and momentary switch mode) based on user needs. The controller can transition between these modes, allowing the same hardware to provide different functional behaviors - toggle mode for sustained grasping tasks and momentary mode for transient grasping tasks, thereby improving adaptability without adding separate hardware systems
Solution Approach 2:
The powered hand portion is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated system. The same actuator and control circuitry support both toggle switch operation (for sustained grasp) and momentary switch operation (for transient grasp), as well as providing powered-off state. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making one system serve multiple purposes
2Ease of operation
If multiple switching elements with different control modes are integrated, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines toggle switch and momentary switch functionalities into a single integrated control system. Rather than requiring two separate switches or control units, the system merges these functions into one controller that responds to different input patterns from a single switching element, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adapts its response based on the type of input received. The same switching element can trigger different control modes depending on the duration and pattern of activation, allowing the system to provide both toggle and momentary control behaviors through a single dynamic control architecture
3Productivity
If the powered hand portion alternates between open and closed positions, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of time due to control delays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to initiate the hand movement action following a predetermined time delay after receiving the input signal. This preliminary timing arrangement allows the user to activate the switch and then prepare the object or positioning before the hand executes the grasp or release action, optimizing the workflow sequence to improve overall productivity despite the inherent delay
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.