Single-Transducer Wearable Vibration for Movement Disorder Symptoms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices for mitigating movement disorder symptoms, such as tremors, are cumbersome and often require multiple transducers, which may not be as effective as a single transducer in reducing symptom severity.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a single mechanical transducer providing a vibratory output of 0.30 Grms to 0.78 Grms, targeting somatosensory and proprioceptive channels via the C5-T1 dermatomes and wrist tendons, offering a less cumbersome form factor and improved symptom reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple transducers are used in wearable devices, then symptom reduction effectiveness may be improved, but device complexity and cumbersome form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transducer functions into a single mechanical transducer that generates vibratory output to stimulate somatosensory and proprioceptive channels. This single transducer design merges the functionality of what would traditionally require multiple separate transducers, reducing device complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness for movement disorder symptoms
2Reliability
If multiple transducers are used in wearable devices, then symptom reduction effectiveness may be improved, but wearability and perception are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transducer components into a single mechanical transducer unit, which reduces the overall size and weight of the wearable device. This consolidation improves wearability and patient comfort while the single transducer delivers adequate vibratory output (0.30 Grms to 0.78 Grms) to effectively stimulate the required neural pathways for symptom reduction
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 single transducer device achieves acute and cumulative improvements in movement disorder symptoms, outperforming multiple transducer devices in BF-ADL scoring, with reduced perception and increased wearability.
Implementation Method 1
activating a mechanical transducer of a wearable device to provide a vibratory output to one or more nerves in a vicinity of a wrist of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method of reducing movement disorder symptom severity of a patient is presented. A method may include securing a wearable device to a body part of a patient through an attachment system. A method may include activating a mechanical transducer of a wearable device to provide a vibratory output to one or more nerves in a vicinity of a wrist of the patient. A vibratory output may have a vibrational strength of about 0.30 Grms to about 0.78 Grms.