Upper-Limb Rehabilitation Device With Grid-Based Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rehabilitation devices for upper limbs lack user-customization, fail to provide high-intensity and repetitive training, and lack objective evaluation of upper limb functionality, particularly in post-stroke rehabilitation, and are limited by the type of user interaction and object compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A device with a detection surface using a grid of light emitters and detectors to assess and rehabilitate upper limbs by determining the position, orientation, and shape of various objects, including everyday items, and calculating similarity metrics for quantitative and objective evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a grid of light emitters and detectors is used to detect object position and orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection surface is segmented into multiple discrete light emitters and detectors arranged in a grid pattern. Each emitter-detector pair independently monitors a specific region, allowing precise localization of objects through spatial distribution of detection points. This segmentation enables accurate position and orientation measurement while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light beams generated by the emitters serve as intermediaries between the detection surface and the objects. These optical intermediaries carry information about object position and orientation without requiring direct physical contact or complex mechanical structures. The light field acts as a non-invasive mediator that enables precise measurement while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple objects are supported simultaneously for detection, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection surface with its grid of light emitters and detectors is designed to be universal, capable of detecting various types of objects (coins, cards, tokens, etc.) with different physical properties. The same detection infrastructure handles diverse object types by analyzing patterns of light beam interruptions, making the system adaptable to multiple object categories without requiring specialized detection mechanisms for each object type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an excessive number of light emitters and detectors beyond the minimum required for single-object detection. This over-detection capability allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple objects across different regions of the detection surface. By having more detection points than strictly necessary, the system can track multiple objects independently while maintaining simplicity in the overall detection approach.
3Measurement precision
If light beams are used to detect object properties, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to light beam obstruction by object supports
Solution Approach 1:
The object supports are designed with locally optimized properties - specifically, they are positioned and shaped to minimize obstruction of light beams in critical detection zones. The support structures have varying geometries and positions tailored to their specific locations on the detection surface, allowing light beams to pass through or around them while still enabling object detection. This local optimization reduces information loss while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enables simultaneous detection of multiple contact points, supports a variety of objects, and provides objective assessment of upper limb functionality, improving rehabilitation effectiveness and adaptability to individual needs.
Implementation Method 1
an array of light emitters arranged to generate a grid of light beams on the display surface, and an array of light detectors, each light detector being configured to detect the light beam from a respective light emitter
Implementation Method 2
each light detector being configured to detect the light beam from a respective light emitter and to generate a signal representative of the detected light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (10) for assessing and/or rehabilitating the upper limbs of a subject comprising a display surface (100), a detection surface (110), and a processing unit (120). The present invention also relates to a system and an apparatus comprising said device (10), and computer-implemented methods using said device (10).