Touch Sensor Thumb Interface for Cerebellar Tap Counting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The finger-to-thumb crease test for evaluating cerebellar integrity is imprecise due to subjective human judgment in determining successful taps, leading to inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A system with a patient interface featuring a touch sensor over the distalmost thumb crease, electronically communicating with a control module to automatically count successful taps within a predetermined time period, eliminating human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a medical practitioner manually counts successful taps during the finger-to-thumb crease test, then the test can be administered without specialized equipment, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to subjective human judgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual counting method with an electronic sensor-based detection system. A touch sensor is positioned over the distalmost thumb crease to automatically detect and count finger taps, eliminating the need for practitioner manual counting and removing subjective judgment from the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a touch sensor as an intermediary device between the patient's finger and the measurement system. This sensor acts as a mediator that objectively detects tap events and transmits this information to the control module for automated counting, thereby improving measurement precision without complicating the overall test administration.
2Measurement precision
If automated electronic sensing is implemented to detect successful taps, then measurement precision improves by removing subjective judgment, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the touch sensor locally at the specific measurement point (distalmost thumb crease) rather than using a complex system-wide solution. This localized approach allows automated detection to be implemented with minimal additional components, improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity to only the necessary local elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic counting functionality within the control module that self-manages the tap detection and counting process without requiring external intervention. The control module automatically receives sensor signals, counts successful taps, and records results, thereby reducing the operational complexity despite the added electronic components.
3Measurement precision
If the touch sensor is positioned over the distalmost thumb crease to automatically detect taps, then measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to proper positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is pre-configured with the touch sensor positioned at the correct location (distalmost thumb crease) before application to the patient. This preliminary positioning setup ensures that when the interface is applied to the thumb, the sensor is already in the optimal detection position, thereby maintaining measurement precision while simplifying the operator's task to merely applying the pre-positioned interface.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system for finger-to-thumb crease testing includes a patient interface configured to attach to a thumb of a patient, the patient interface including a touch sensor configured to sense contact between a finger of the patient and the touch sensor, the touch sensor being positioned on the patient interface in a location at which it overlies a distalmost thumb crease of the thumb when the patient interface is attached, and a control module in electrical communication with the patient interface, the control module being configured to count a number of times the patient successfully taps the touch sensor with the finger.