Post-Stroke Tactile Stimulation Glove for Neurologic Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for stroke recovery do not effectively enhance neurologic outcomes, and there is a need for a simple and safe strategy to improve recovery from acute ischemic brain injury.
Innovation Solution
A glove-like device providing tactile sensory stimulation to the affected upper extremity using pneumatic, motorized, or piezoelectric actuators, which can be applied during the acute phase of a stroke to stimulate the hand, foot, or other body parts, utilizing tactile actuators that offer gentle massage, vibration, or temperature changes to stimulate brain tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional stroke recovery treatments are used, then treatment simplicity and safety are maintained, but neurologic outcomes and recovery effectiveness do not improve
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the hand into multiple stimulation zones (palmar surface, dorsal surface, fingers, thumb) with independently controllable actuators distributed across each zone, allowing targeted sensory stimulation of specific brain regions while maintaining overall treatment simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The glove-like device serves multiple functions: it provides tactile stimulation, vibratory stimulation, and thermal stimulation through a single integrated platform, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment devices while improving neurologic outcomes
2Reliability
If sensory stimulation is applied to the affected hand, then brain tissue is stimulated through collateral recruitment or cortical reorganization, but the mechanism of action is unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates sensors that detect hand position, movement, and physiological parameters, providing real-time feedback that allows the stimulation pattern to be adjusted dynamically, thereby optimizing the stimulation effect on brain tissue while monitoring the actual physiological response
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 is expected to improve neurologic outcomes by stimulating brain tissue, potentially through collateral blood supply recruitment or neuronal reorganization, leading to enhanced recovery from stroke and other brain injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The tactile actuators may be pneumatically driven
Implementation Method 2
The tactile stimulation may be produced by a stroking movement, vibration, or by temperature change
Implementation Method 3
The tactile stimulation may be produced by a stroking movement, vibration, or by temperature change
Data Source
AI summary
A post-stroke stimulation device including a garment to be applied to a portion of a body of a stroke patient to be treated. The post-stroke stimulation device includes at least one tactile actuator adapted to supply tactile stimulation to the skin of the stroke patient. The tactile actuators are controlled to be activated and deactivated in a random pattern or a pattern selected by a medical professional.