Segmented Finger Motion Rail for Independent Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing finger motion rails for therapy devices are not precisely adapted to individual fingers, limiting their range of treatment and inability to perform independent movements.
Innovation Solution
A finger motion rail with dedicated motion kinematics for each finger, featuring a carriage that moves in a rail around the metacarpophalangeal joint and pivoting levers arranged laterally, allowing unimpeded flexion and extension movements, with motorized drives and adjustable mechanisms to accommodate different finger lengths and forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single finger motion rail is mounted on the support, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different finger lengths and anatomical structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single finger motion rail is divided into multiple separate finger motion rails, with each rail dedicated to a specific finger. This segmentation allows each rail to be individually adjusted and optimized for the specific anatomical characteristics of each finger, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger motion rails are designed with adjustable and movable components that can be dynamically adapted to different finger lengths and positions. The rails can be repositioned along the support structure, and the securing elements can be adjusted to accommodate varying anatomical measurements, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring a completely different device for each patient.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical parts bear on the fingers to limit movement, then the device provides structural support, but the finger movement is impeded and treatment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical parts that were previously bearing directly on the fingers have been removed or extracted from the contact zone. Instead, the finger motion rails provide support from above, allowing the fingers to move freely within the rails without direct mechanical contact that would impede movement. The support function is maintained through the rail structure while the harmful mechanical constraint is eliminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger motion rails act as intermediary elements between the support structure and the fingers. Rather than having mechanical parts bear directly on the fingers, the rails provide a guiding and supporting interface that allows natural finger movement while maintaining structural support. The releasable securing elements serve as intermediaries that can be adjusted to provide support without constraint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fingers are treated simultaneously by one motion rail, then the device operates efficiently, but individual fingers cannot be treated independently
Solution Approach 1:
The single motion rail system is segmented into multiple independent finger motion rails, with each rail dedicated to treating a specific finger independently. This allows for customized treatment protocols for each finger while maintaining an efficient multi-finger treatment capability. The modular segmented design enables simultaneous operation of multiple rails without interfering with each other's independent control.
Solution Approach 2:
Each finger motion rail is designed as a universal module that can be independently adjusted and operated for any finger. The rails share common components and adjustment mechanisms, allowing the system to efficiently treat multiple fingers simultaneously while maintaining the capability for independent individual finger treatment through the same standardized modular units.
Data Source
AI summary
A finger motion rail is provided for a therapy device for carrying out passive and/or actively-assisted motion of the fingers and thumb of the hand. The therapy device has an upper shell, to which a kinematic motion mechanism of the finger motion rail for each selected finger is connected, each mechanism has a motion drive that is in control engagement with a control system. The kinematic motion mechanism of the finger motion rail, which mechanism has a carriage that moves in a rail provided around the metacarpophalangeal joint and a pivoting lever, is located at the side of each finger for the passive and/or actively-assisted motion of the selected fingers. This allows an individual finger motion rail with the kinematic motion mechanism to be provided for each selected finger, the rail being located at the side of each finger, thus permitting each selected finger to bend and/or stretch without constraint.