Handheld Vibration and Laser Device for Parkinson's Motor Symptoms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Parkinson's disease patients experience motor symptoms such as tremors, muscular stiffness, bradykinesia, postural disruptions, Parkinsonian walking, and freezing gait, which interfere with daily activities and increase the risk of falls, and existing devices do not effectively address these symptoms.

Innovation Solution

A handheld device powered by a battery that generates modulated vibrations and a laser guide to help patients overcome freezing episodes, reduce tremors, improve posture, and increase movement speed, combined with a Bluetooth module for communication with intelligent devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vibration device is used to reduce freezing episodes and improve motor symptoms, then the patient's movement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration through a micro motor that generates vibrations applied to the patient's body. The vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) can be modulated to target specific motor symptoms. This mechanical vibration stimulus helps activate motor neurons and muscles, reducing freezing episodes and improving movement initiation and execution, thereby enhancing productivity without requiring complex surgical or pharmacological interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex pharmacological treatment regimens and invasive surgical procedures with a simpler mechanical vibration system. The handheld device delivers targeted vibration therapy that can be adjusted remotely via Bluetooth, substituting multiple medications or complex therapy protocols with a single controllable mechanical intervention, thus improving movement capability while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If vibration therapy is applied to reduce tremors and stiffness, then the patient's motor function is improved, but the treatment time required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor functionVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic vibration therapy where the micro motor delivers vibration impulses in controlled cycles. The vibration can be applied intermittently throughout the day during activities that trigger symptoms, rather than requiring continuous prolonged treatment. This periodic application pattern improves motor function at critical moments while minimizing total treatment time, allowing patients to receive therapy during daily routines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows pre-programming of vibration protocols before symptom onset. Patients or therapists can set up treatment schedules in advance that automatically activate vibration therapy at optimal times or in response to detected movement patterns. This preliminary setup reduces the need for real-time adjustment and extends treatment benefits across multiple activities, improving motor function efficiency while reducing overall time commitment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces freezing episodes, tremors, muscular stiffness, and bradykinesia, improves balance and stride, and decreases the incidence of falls, allowing patients to perform daily tasks more efficiently and safely.

Implementation Method 1

The device according to the invention produces vibration through a micro-motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

we placed a laser guide which is powered by a handheld energy source (battery), which creates a light that is projected linearly on the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS11395784B2Sensorial electronic device for the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's disease
Publication Date: 2022.07.26 N TECS LABS SA DE CV
  • US11395784B2 patent drawing
  • US11395784B2 patent drawing
  • US11395784B2 patent drawing

AI summary

This invention refers to a device that reduces and counteracts human motor symptoms (tremor in the upper limbs, muscular stiffness, bradykinesia or slowness in movements, postural disruptions, Parkinsonian walking and freezing in the walking) caused by Parkinson's disease. The device produces vibration by means of a micro-motor that can be modulated in time, speed and power. A laser diode generates a light that is projected in the ground in the form of a horizontal line, a Bluetooth module communicates this device with different intelligent electronic devices and with applications. These components are powered by a rechargeable handheld power source. The components are powered by a rechargeable handheld electric energy source.