FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering.

Particularly, this invention relates to hand rehabilitation.

More particularly, this invention relates to a device for flexion and extension of fingers with a thumb.

Specifically, this invention relates to a finger and thumb function rehabilitation device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

A hand’s finger(s) can lose its functionality because of Bum Injuries, Traumatic Injuries, and neurological injuries, such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or Parkinson's disease, or an accident.

Such losses/injuries severely affect the lifestyle of such patients (who have lost their fingers). E.g. poor gasping skills, poor coordination skills, inability to control constant grip force.

In this case, a person needs a prolonged rehabilitation process to regain the functionality of the finger.

According to prior are, one of such hand rehabilitation systems is based on exoskeletons, which are robotic skeletons that externally embrace a limb or part of the body. Prior art U. S. Patent No. 5,516,249 describes an exoskeletal control apparatus based on a glove framework into which a hand can be inserted.

Prior art U. S. Patent No. 8,574,178 is a similar device that is complex because they have a lot of moving parts, which results in inexpensive maintenance.

Prior art PCT patent application W02010140984 comprises support on which an impaired arm is fixed and five subsystems, each of them comprising a finger fixation (strap) and a clutch system. Each finger strap is actuated using a cable (guided through a pulley) pulling in one direction and a bow spring in the other. However, this prior art system is hardly portable due to its non-compactness. Besides, a force is applied on each finger fixation and is therefore concentrated on a finger joint, therefore causing potential damage on the joint and not optimizing the finger function rehabilitation. Additionally, finger flexion is provided exclusively by the bow spring component, not the motor, which makes the applied control to the fingers harder to control.

Prior art PCT patent application WO2015024852A1 discloses a hand motion exercising device having a movement unit dedicated to the thumb and a movement unit dedicated to the fingers. Both movement units are driven by a single motor. Besides, prior hand rehabilitation devices, including the one disclosed in WO2015024852A1, are designed to be used with either a right hand or a left hand, which results in requiring high investment.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a finger function rehabilitation device that has a simple portable structure and, at the same time, permits an optimized rehabilitation of the five fingers of both a right hand and a left hand. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION:

An objective of the invention is to provide a hand rehabilitation device which assists to prevent reduce and manage stiffness after a hand injury.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a simple low-cost device could extend duration of rehabilitation, allowing exercises at a patient’s home, under remote monitoring and / or evaluation by therapists.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a portable device should provide Flexion and Extension of figures with the thumb.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a device should provide active as well as passive rehabilitation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide movement for individual hand digit.

Yet an additional object of the invention is to provide interdigital joints movement.

Still an additional object of the invention is to provide a simple and easy to use device, for finger function rehabilitation / hand rehabilitation so that any semiskilled person can operate the same.

Another additional object of the invention is to provide a cost-efficient device so that it can be beneficial for lower social economy class.

Yet another additional object of the invention is to provide fast recovery of patients Still another additional object of the invention is to provide enhanced range of motion for finger function rehabilitation / hand rehabilitation. another additional object of the invention is to provide a device which is lightweight and portable, so that patients can use a device for rehabilitation in their homes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to this invention, there is provided a hand rehabilitation device, configured to allow movement of each individual finger of a hand, from 0 degrees to 90 degreees, to regain the range of motion by way of rehabilitation, said device comprising:

- a middle plate, being a semicircular plate, forings an operative top portion of an outer casing, said middle plate being mounted at a middle level of said device, said middle plate comprising a plurality of grooves, each groove providing a guide for links to angulary displace about their individual pivot point, each groove traversing a vertical wall of said outer casing and extending operatively horizontally through said middle plate, from its semicircular circumference, towards a centre point of said semicircular middle plate;

- a carrier element connected with a lead screw, said lead screw configured to transfer motion to said carrier element in order to move said lead screw in an operatively verticaly linear movement;

- a roller mounting, being a semicircular ring, connected to said outer casing, spaced apart from a base plate of said outer casing, said roller mounting configured to hold a plurality of roller elements about its circumferential semicircular edge, each roller element spaced apart from an adjacent roller; and - a plurality of links, each link having a curvilinear profile, each link connected with said carrier element in order to provide support to a finger cap, located on operatieve top of said link, each link further connected to a corresponding roller element to form said corresponding pivot point, each link configured to transfer motion generated through said corresponding roller element and said carrier element to a corresponding finger cap, each link being guided in a corresponding groove, each finger cap, along with its associated corresponding link being individually displaceable in at least two degrees of freedom, in that, o each of said finger caps being angularly displaceable, for rehabilitation, by virtue of its corresponding link, and o each of said finger caps being linearly displaceable, for adjustment, by virtue of its corresponding roller element.

In at least an embodiment, said device comprising a base plate which forms an operative bottom portion of said outer casing.

In at least an embodiment, said lead screw is a rod with outer- surface trapezoidal threads.

In at least an embodiment, said lead screw being coupled with a motor, housed in said outer casing, to transfer rotational motion of said motor to linear movement of said carrier element.

In at least an embodiment, said carrier element has a nut, with internal threads, which meshes with said lead screw’s external threads.

In at least an embodiment, each of said links is a curvilinear shaped element, with its pivot point dictated by said roller element, on said roller mounting, that helps to achieve desired motion of angular flexion and extension by allowing said link to angularly displace about its pivot point defined by said roller element.

In at least an embodiment, said roller element is held by said roller mounting and is always engaged with said roller mounting.

In at least an embodiment, a set of said roller elements being circumferentially aligned about the semi-circular edge of said roller mounting, in that, each roller element is angularly displaceable in a corresponding groove incorporated in said outer casing.

In at least an embodiment, each roller element is attached to a corresponding link, in that, said link extends, operatively upwards, away from said roller element and said roller mounting.

In at least an embodiment, a resilient element is mounted between said link and said roller element to maintain stiffness for active rehabilitation.

In at least an embodiment, each of said finger caps is connected, correspondingly, to each of said links.

In at least an embodiment, each of said finger caps comprises a finger base, for resting a finger, connected to a corresponding link.

In at least an embodiment, a hand rest member, formed by a platform spaced apart from said middle plate, is located at an operative upward position with respect to said base plate and is supported by a sliding plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

The invention will now be described in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an overall view of the device;

Figure 2 illustrates the internal working mechanism of the hand rehabilitation device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates various views of an outer casing which covers the internal working mechanism of Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a middle plate which forms an operative top portion of the outer casing of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates a base plate which forms an operative top portion of the outer casing of Figure 3;

Figure 6 illustrates a carrier element;

Figure 7 illustrates a roller mounting;

Figure 8 illustrates a link;

Figure 9 illustrates a cap;

Figure 10 illustrates a hand rest; and

Figure 11 illustrates a sliding plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS: According to this invention, there is provided a Hand Rehabilitation Device.

In at least an embodiment, the device is developed to move fingers, when used with the device, from 0 degrees to 90 degrees to regain the range of motion of the hand.

Figure 1 illustrates a full view of a hand rehabilitation device. Figure 2 illustrates the internal working mechanism of the hand rehabilitation device of Figure 1.

In at least an embodiment, the mechanism consists of moving components that lead to finger movement.

Figure 3 illustrates various views of an outer casing (12) which covers the internal working mechanism of Figure 2.

In at least an embodiment, the outer casing (12) provides support to the mechanism. It is a principal and non-moving part of the unit that supports other parts. This outer casing integrates with the internal working mechanism of Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates a middle plate (Ila) which forms an operative top portion of the outer casing (12) of Figure 3.

In at least an embodiment, the middle plate (Ila) is mounted at a middle level of the device. Typically, the middle plate (Ila) is a semicircular plate and forms an operative upper platform of the outer casing (12). In at least an embodiment, the middle plate (Ila) comprises a plurality of grooves (19); each groove provides a guide for links (24) to travel / angulary displace about its pivot point. Each groove (19) traverses a vertical wall of the outer casing (12) and extends operatively horizontally through the middle plate (I la), from its semicircular circumference, towards a centre point of the semicircular middle plate (Ila).

Figure 5 illustrates a base plate (11b) which forms an operative bottom portion of the outer casing (12) of Figure 3.

In at least an embodiment, the base plate (11b) is mounted at the bottom of the device i.e. at the bottom of the outer casing (12). The base plate (11b) can support electronics components such as controls, sensors, and motors; all required by this device. The base plate (11b) is a fixed and solid structure, the main function for the base is to hold and carry the device

Figure 6 illustrates a carrier element (20) .

In at least an embodiment, the carrier element (20) is connected with a lead screw (18). In at least an embodiment, the lead screw (18) transfers motion to the carrier element (18). Preferably, the lead screw (18) is a metal rod with outer-surface trapezoidal threads. The lead screw (18) is coupled with an electric motor (housed in the outer casing) to transfer rotational motion of the motor to linear movement of the carrier element (20). Preferably, the carrier element (20) has a metal nut, with internal threads, which meshes with the lead screw’s (18) external threads. The carrier element’s (20) main objective is to receive power from the lead screw (18) and to translate it in linear (upward / downward) movement.

Figure 7 illustrates a roller mounting (32).

In at least an embodiment, the roller mounting (32) is a part attached with the outer casing (12). Preferably, it has a semi circular shape. This part holds a roller (34). This is an adjustable part of the device. User can adjust height of the device based on which joint of finger needs to perform rehabilitation. Typically, the roller mounting (32) is a ring spaced apart from the base plate (11b).

In at least an embodiment, the roller element (32) is connected with the base plate (1 lb) and is operatively spaced apart from the base plate (1 lb). It is a stationary component of the device. Curved profile of each link (24) slides through the roller element (32). Sliding motion supports finger manipulation.

Figure 8 illustrates a link (24). In at least an embodiment, the link (24) is connected with the carrier element (20). It provides support to the finger cap (28). Typically, the link (24) is the middle portion, which transfers motion generated through a roller element (34) and the carrier element (20) to a corresponding finger cap (28). The link (24) is a curvilinear shaped element, with its pivot point, at a point, dictated by the roller element (34), on the roller mounting (32), that helps to achieve the desired motion (preferably, from 0 degrees to 90 degrees) of angular flexion and extension.

In at least an embodiment, the roller element (34) is held by the roller mounting (32) and is always engaged with the roller mounting (32). A set of such roller elements (34) are circumferentially aligned about the semi-circular edge of the roller mounting (32), in that, each roller element (34) is angularly displaceable in a groove incorporated in the outer casing (12). The purpose of the roller element (34) is to adjust its position according to the angle of interdigital joints (of the hand that is to be placed on this device).

Each roller element (34) is attached to a corresponding link (24), in that, the link (24) extends, operatively upwards, from the roller element (34) and the roller mounting (32), as such. The attachment of the link (24) with its corresponding roller element (34) is by means of fasteners. A resilient element (such as a torsional spring) is mounted between the link (24) and the roller element (34) to maintain sufficient stiffness for active rehabilitation.

Figure 9 illustrates a finger cap (28).

In at least an embodiment, the finger cap (28) is connected to the link (24). The patient rests their finger in the finger cap (28). Belts are used to hold a finger. Finger caps (28) follow the movement provided by the link (24). That movement transfers directly to the finger. This arrangement can manage the movement of the finger joints.

In at least an embodiment, each finger cap (28) comprises a finger base (for resting a finger) connected to a corresponding link (24). A patient rests their finger on / in this finger cap (28). Belts are used to hold a finger in place, in the finger caps (28). Finger caps (28) follow the movement provided by the link (24); this movement transfers directly to the corresponding finger. This arrangement can actuate the movement of finger joints.

Typically, the link (24) provides support to the finger cap (28). The link (24) is a middle portion, which transfers motion generated through the roller element (34) and the carrier element (20) to a corresponding finger cap (28); and, hence, to a corresponding finger located on the finger cap (28). The link is a curveshaped link (24) which helps to achieve a desired motion of angular flexion and extension.

Each finger cap (28), along with its associated corresponding link (24) is individually displaceable; angularly displaceable by virtue of the corresponding link (24), and linearly displaceable, for adjustment, by virtue of its corresponding roller element (34).

Figure 10 illustrates a hand rest member (14).

In at least an embodiment, the hand rest member (14) the patient / user put the wrist on hand rest. The wrist is protected by the belt, and the belt is attached to the base to prevent excessive movement.

In at least an embodiment, the hand rest member (14) is formed by a platform spaced apart from the middle plate (Ila). The hand rest member (14) is located at an operative upward position with respect to the base (11b) and is supported by a support member (13). A person, using this device, puts their arm on the hand rest member (14) and the arm is secured by means of an arm-holding belt (16) configured to be placed about the platform (14). This keeps the arm, specifically, a user’s wrist, in place and prevents excessive movement.

Figure 11 illustrates a sliding plate (13).

In at least an embodiment, the sliding plate (13) covers the mechanism and provides safety for the patient against injury due to mechanical moving parts.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a simple, ergonomic, easy-to-use, ambidextrous device for finger function rehabilitation. The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT, of this invention, also lies in providing a palm-support device which allows individual angular displacement as well as individual linear displacement for each finger of a hand.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.