Variable Resistance Hand Exercise Device for Finger Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with radial neuropathy and hand injuries or strokes face difficulties in opening their hands due to limited mobility, and existing therapy tools do not effectively strengthen finger muscles or improve fine motor skills.
Innovation Solution
A variable resistance tong or scissor device with pivotably connected movable members and flexible members, allowing for adjustable resistance using different strength rubber bands, which can be used to strengthen finger muscles and assist in opening hands, while also providing a method for therapeutic exercise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional therapy tools are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but therapeutic effectiveness in strengthening finger muscles and improving fine motor skills is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate movable members (first and second movable members) that can independently pivot, allowing each member to be manipulated separately by different fingers or hands. This segmentation enables targeted finger muscle strengthening while maintaining overall device simplicity through the use of basic pivot joints and flexible members.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves multiple therapeutic functions simultaneously: it strengthens finger muscles through resistance provided by flexible members, improves fine motor skills through precise manipulation required to operate the movable members, and assists in hand opening exercises through the pivotal movement mechanism. This multi-functionality increases therapeutic effectiveness without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed resistance therapy devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different patient needs and injury levels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates flexible members (such as rubber bands or springs) that provide dynamic, variable resistance rather than fixed mechanical resistance. The resistance level can be adjusted by changing the flexibility or tension of these members, allowing adaptation to different patient strength levels and recovery stages without complicating the overall device structure through multiple fixed-resistance mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapeutic resistance parameter can be modified by selecting different flexible members with varying elasticity or tension characteristics. This allows the device to adapt to different patient needs, injury severities, and recovery phases simply by changing the flexible member parameter, rather than requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
3Reliability
If high resistance is applied to strengthen finger muscles, then muscle strengthening effectiveness is improved, but risk of injury or discomfort to patients with limited hand mobility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible members provide dynamic resistance that naturally adjusts during movement - offering higher resistance when muscles are stronger and capable of overcoming it, and lower resistance when muscles are weaker. This dynamic characteristic allows effective muscle strengthening while automatically adapting to the patient's current capability, reducing the risk of injury or discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance parameter can be precisely controlled by selecting flexible members with appropriate elasticity and tension characteristics. This allows therapists to prescribe specific resistance levels that are effective for muscle strengthening but remain safe for patients with limited hand mobility, effectively managing the trade-off between therapeutic benefit and injury risk.
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 strengthens finger muscles, builds fine motor skills, and assists individuals with radial neuropathy in opening their hands, offering a therapeutic benefit through adjustable resistance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one common flexible member that provides resistance to the relative pivotal movement
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic hand-held exercise device includes a pair of movable members that each define a handle portion and an end effector portion. The movable members are pivotably connected for relative pivotal movement between a first position and a second position. The handle portion of one of the movable members defines at least one flexible member engaging post. The end effector portion of the other movable member defines at least one flexible member engaging post such that the flexible member engaging posts can receive a common flexible member. The flexible member engaging posts are joined via a first common flexible member and other flexible member engaging posts are joined via a second common flexible member. The common flexible members may each exhibit a tensile strength that provides resistance to movement which either differs from or is equal to the tensile strength of the other common flexible member.