Shape Memory Alloy Finger Extender for Hypertonicity Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapies for hypertonicity in patients with neuromuscular conditions, such as Cerebral Palsy, often result in joint deformation, muscular atrophy, and pressure sores due to the use of static or dynamic splints, which do not effectively improve mobility or provide therapeutic heat to alleviate pain.
Innovation Solution
An automated therapeutic device that extends curled fingers using a rigid base, fingerlets, and extending elements made of shape memory alloy, while incorporating a heating element to distribute heat along the forearm, providing both mechanical extension and thermal relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static splints are used to force the patient's hand into a static position, then muscle tone is reduced between therapy appointments, but joint deformation, muscular atrophy, and pressure sores occur while mobility improvement is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static splints to a dynamic system using shape memory alloy extending elements that can actively change length in response to temperature changes. The extending elements dynamically adjust to apply gentle stretching forces during therapy sessions while allowing natural hand positioning during other times, eliminating the harmful effects of continuous static positioning while maintaining therapeutic benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements periodic therapeutic action through controlled heating cycles. The heating element applies heat periodically to activate the shape memory alloy extending elements during therapy sessions, creating intermittent stretching forces rather than continuous static pressure. This periodic activation pattern provides therapeutic benefit while allowing tissue recovery between sessions, preventing joint deformation and pressure sores.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamic splints use resistive forces to counteract contractions, then harmful side effects are avoided, but mobility improvement and pain relief are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the extending elements by controlling temperature. The shape memory alloy materials transition between different structural states (martensite and austenite phases) based on temperature, allowing the device to switch between a compliant state during normal use and an active extending state during therapy. This parameter change enables the device to provide both safety and therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical spring-based dynamic splints with an active thermal-mechanical system. Instead of relying solely on elastic resistance, the device uses thermally-actuated shape memory alloys that can generate controlled extending forces through phase transformation. This substitution enables more precise and effective force application for mobility improvement while maintaining the safety benefits of dynamic adjustment.
3Device complexity
If no heating element is incorporated, then device complexity is reduced, but pain alleviation and therapeutic effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the structural extending elements by integrating the heating element directly with the shape memory alloy components. The heating system and the extending mechanism are combined into a single integrated unit, where the same thermal energy that activates the shape memory alloy also provides therapeutic heat to the patient's hand and fingers. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating apparatus while achieving both extension and pain relief functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it activates the shape memory alloy extending elements to provide mechanical extension, provides therapeutic heat for pain relief, and can be used independently for thermal therapy without activation of the extending elements. This multi-functionality approach consolidates multiple therapeutic modalities into a single device component, maintaining simplicity while enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.
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 effectively extends curled fingers and provides therapeutic heat, reducing pain and improving mobility without causing joint deformation or muscular atrophy, thus offering a more effective treatment for hypertonicity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of extending elements, each operable to reversibly attach to the rigid base and reversibly attach to one of the plurality of fingerlets
Implementation Method 2
supplying power to the device, where the amount of power supplied is sufficient to cause the extending elements to extend the patient's fingers
Implementation Method 3
a heating element operable to reversibly attach to the rigid base and to distribute heat along the patient's forearm
Data Source
AI summary
An automated therapeutic device and methods thereof for heating and extending a patients curled fingers is provided. The device includes a rigid base extending from a patients hand to elbow, a plurality of fingerlets, each operable to attach to a finger of the patient, a plurality of extending elements, each extending element operable to reversibly attach to the rigid base and reversibly attach to one of the plurality of fingerlets, and a heating element operable to reversibly attach to the rigid base and distribute heat along the patient's anterior forearm.