WO2022146157A1

WO2022146157A1 - The smart finger aid for prevention of infectious diseases

Info

Publication number: WO2022146157A1
Application number: PCT/QA2021/050007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alaa Eddin Omar ALOSTWANI
Original assignee: Alostwani Alaa Eddin Omar
Priority date: 2021-05-02
Filing date: 2021-05-02
Publication date: 2022-07-07

Abstract

This invention discloses a finger aid with special extensions; through which the person can safely touch his head, neck or facial area, handle the surrounding items and greet others without direct contact with the skin. The extensions can be opened, closed and disinfected automatically; this in turn will minimize the use of hand sanitizer and gloves, and prevent the transmission of infection to the person himself and others. In addition, this invention provides the ability to take fingerprint indirectly, and includes sensors for vital signs and physical activity assessment connected to digital touch screen, which gives comprehensive information regarding medical health status and finger aid efficacy. Furthermore, the size of Finger aid with the extensions can be minimized to be applied over the fingertip as a smart artificial nail.

Description

The Smart Finger Aid for Prevention of Infectious Diseases

This invention relates to the field of prevention, in particular to a Smart Finger Aid for Prevention of Infectious Diseases.

Hands are considered as an essential body part responsible for transmission of infectious diseases; many methods and inventions are being utilized to cover and sanitize hands in order to provide prevention, out of which are latex, nitrile and rubber gloves. The invention PTL1 includes surgical gloves suitable for body fluid infectious disease patient, each glove consisted of inner layer, middle and outer layer, the formed gap can be filled with disinfectant, the latter will flow out directly to the wound when the middle layer, the inner layer and the person’s hand are cut; therefore, the wounded area will be instantly disinfected to prevent infection. Another invention PTL2 provides Method for producing rubber glove with portion containing expansion length caused by flexion and extension to prevent diseases on hands of housewives who use the glove for a long period of time. The invention PTL3 consists of finger cover which has a pocket shape and can be used for the treatment of various diseases; it is stable over the finger during treatment and impermeable to the external liquids which keep the finger dry, whereas it is breathable and comfortable at the same time. In addition, this finger cover may contain therapeutic agent to be released to the injured finger directly. Another invention PTL4 characterized by finger flexion and extension device used for the prevention of phlebitis after venous catheterization, it consists of gloves setting on a manipulator which includes controller, an operating frame, several mechanical fingers and several springs. The patient will put his hand into the glove and the manipulator stimulates the movement of the patient’s hand with flexion and extensions movements to a set period. As a result, the blood circulation will be promoted, and the hand muscles will be assisted and stimulated in all directions.

This invention discloses a finger aid with special extensions; through which the person can safely touch his head, neck or facial area, handle the surrounding items and greet others without direct contact with the skin. The extensions can be opened, closed and disinfected automatically; this in turn will minimize the use of hand sanitizer and gloves, and prevent the transmission of infection to the person himself and others as well; meaning that the prevention provided is bidirectional. In addition, this invention provides the ability to take fingerprint indirectly, and includes sensors for vital signs and physical activity assessment connected to digital touch screen, which gives comprehensive information regarding medical health status and finger aid efficacy. Furthermore, the size of Finger aid with the extensions can be minimized to be applied over the fingertip as smart artificial nail. Therefore, this invention presents an optimum and effective protection against infectious diseases.

the invention PTL1 provides the person wearing gloves additional prevention of infectious diseases, and the invention PTL2 includes Method for producing comfortable rubber gloves for housewives. However, wearing gloves for a long period of time can be inconvenient for majority of people and will interfere with routine daily life, especially during physical activity, another drawback of wearing gloves is the transmission of infection in unexpected way; because the person will have fake feeling that he is fully protected; indeed, if he touched a contaminated item while shopping for example, then he contacted different places and adjusted the mask over his nose unintentionally, particularly happened while speaking, the infection would be spread to the person himself and others, also to many places in the market. On the other hand, it is evident that re-sanitizing gloves is contraindicated, and disposing them after each suspected use will be costly and stressful. Therefore, many people are using hand sanitizer all the time to disinfect their hands after every single touch with the surrounding objects, and also before adjusting the mask or altering the position of eyeglasses for example, this in turn will cause skin irritation and fatigue because sanitizing hands properly will take not less than 20 seconds; furthermore, the chemical material of sanitizer might penetrate the skin through invisible wounds and scratches, or could be ingested if used just before the meal; this might have possible health concern when applying large amount of disinfectant frequently for a long period of time.

The invention PTL3 provides a stable cover over the wounded finger for protection, and the invention PTL4 includes gloves connected to an automatic device for prevention of phlebitis. However, both are used for treatment purposes for limited time, and not indicated for routine daily life.

Interestingly, the common greeting methods, spread during Covid-19 like touching elbows or hand grip contact for example, may cause transmission of infection, because many people usually use their elbows or the hand itself to cover their mouth or nose while coughing or sneezing.

The invention of smart finger aid for prevention of infectious diseases will provide the following advantages:

1.The ability to safely touch head, neck and facial area, handle the surrounding items and greet others without direct contact with the finger.

2.The finger aid extensions can be opened, closed and disinfected automatically, this in turn will minimize the use of hand sanitizer and gloves, and prevent the transmission of infection to the person himself and others as well, also will warn and train the person not to touch his face or the surrounding objects directly by hands.

3.the ability to take electronic fingerprint indirectly.

4.characterized by the presence of thermometer, electrocardiogram ECG, pulse oximeter, glucose monitor, sleeping tracker, noise dosimeter, altimeter and physical activity meter; therefore, comprehensive health information can be recorded while doing physical exercises like swimming.

characterized by the presence of digital touch screen and clock, utilized for controlling the different functions and extensions of the finger aid, and recording comprehensive information regarding medical health status and finger aid efficacy. Furthermore, the finger aid can also be controlled using cell phone.

The size of Finger aid can be minimized to be applied over the fingertip as a smart artificial nail with tiny manual or automatic extensions which help the person achieve different daily tasks, these extensions can be automatically sanitized after each use as well.

Fig.1

illustrates the finger aid from upper view: 1- the first extension in a closing position, specialized for neck, face and head area. 2- disinfecting entrance. 3- the reservoir of disinfectant. 4- the control panel of finger aid.

Fig.2

illustrates the finger aid from upper view: 1- the first extension in a functional position, specialized for neck, face and head area. 2- disinfecting entrance. 3- the reservoir of disinfectant. 4- the control panel of finger aid.

Fig.3

illustrates the finger aid from lower view: 1- the second extension in a closing position, specialized to handle the surrounding objects. 2- disinfecting entrance. 3- sensor for vital signs and physical activity. 4- electronic fingerprint reader.

Fig.4

illustrates the finger aid from lower view: 1- the second extension in a functional position, specialized to handle the surrounding objects. 2- disinfecting entrance. 3- sensor for vital signs and physical activity. 4- electronic fingerprint reader.

This invention discloses a finger aid put on any hand finger, and includes different types of extensions opened and closed manually or automatically when the person wants to touch his face or the surrounding objects; these extensions are mainly composed of two types:

The first extension has U shape with a twisted external end, specialized to deal with head, neck and facial area. This extension is foldable during rest, and becomes apparent and extended during functions; namely, to adjust the mask or eyeglasses over the nose, and to remove them. ,2.

The second extension has U shape with a twisted internal end, specialized to handle the surrounding objects. This extension is foldable during rest, and will be opened and extended during functions; namely, to press and activate computer and elevator buttons, ATM and card payment machines and digital touch screen, also to open and close the door and control the lock. ,4.

Both first and second extensions can be opened and closed either manually or automatically using battery power, kinetic or solar energy. Electronic sensors can be added to open the first or second extensions automatically and selectively, depending on hand position, whether approaches the face or the surrounding objects respectively; then the extension will be automatically folded responding to the hand setback. The extension has sharpened and rounded end to avoid any harm to others.

The extension on the Finger aid can be utilized to hold light objects; the two ends of U shape extension can be connected and released manually or automatically in order to form a tweezer which helps control the targeted items.

More specialized extensions, taking different shapes similarly to the letters L, J, I or any other suitable shape, can be connected to any suitable place of the finger aid and supported by electronic sensors controlling the opening and closing motion, angle, level, length and degree of extension in order to achieve different daily tasks professionally. One of the extensions can be specialized for oral cavity with different heads, including but not limited to, toothpick or interdental toothbrush. Another extension contains pen or pencil end for writing and signing or special tip for typing and controlling digital touch screens. One more extension has magnet at the end which helps pull and control metal items. In addition, this magnetic extension can be used to greet others when contacts the opposite magnetic extension connected to finger aid of the front person. Another extension has a rubber end which vacuums the air when contacting the surrounding objects in order to control them, whereas the vacuum effect can be cancelled any time to release the item. In addition, this rubber extension can be used to greet others when contacts the opposite rubber extension connected to the finger aid of the front person.

The finger aid is characterized by a special entrance compatible with the extension end in the closing position, and contains antiseptic material which can be refilled easily, ultraviolet light source, ultrasonic waves, or any other suitable disinfecting methods to keep the extensions cleaned and sterilized after each use in order to prevent transmission of infectious diseases.

Thermometer, electrocardiogram ECG and pulse oximeter can be added to the finger aid to give important health information and produce suitable alarm if blood oxygenation runs below normal levels, because sometimes the latter is the only silent and serious manifestation of Covid-19 before other alarming symptoms take place. Glucose monitor can be incorporated within the system of finger aid, so an accurate result can be safely obtained through the finger aid which keeps the finger skin clean and sanitized. The finger aid can also include sleep tracker, noise dosimeter, distance sensor, altimeter, global positioning system GPS, and physical activity meter; therefore, comprehensive health information can be recorded while doing physical exercises like swimming.

Control panel, connected to a digital touch screen including clock, can be set on the finger aid, and utilized to control the different functions and extensions. Moreover, comprehensive information regarding medical health status, finger aid efficacy, any malfunction, low battery or insufficient disinfectant level can be recorded and visibly seen on the screen with a suitable alarm; this information will be sent to mobile phone via Bluetooth or wireless network, thus the finger aid can also be controlled using cell phone.

Fingerprint reader can be added to the lower surface of the finger aid; the fingerprint information can be sent via Bluetooth, wireless network, or by a special electronic extension attached to the fingerprint reader and can be instantly connected with fingerprint machines. Therefore, it is not necessary for the employees to insert their fingers directly inside the machine, this in turn will provide prevention of infectious diseases.

The finger aid and its extensions can be made of plastic, rubber, metal or any other suitable material, or combination between them, also can cover part of the finger with holes for skin breathing, or the whole finger with joints and ring added for the sake of comfort and stability, the finger aid can be composed of one or multiple layers, preferably impermeable to liquids but allow skin breathing at the same time. In addition, the size of finger aid can be modified and adjusted to fit any finger, or to be fixed over metal, wooden or plastic carrier or any other suitable holder, including but not limited to, pen, pencil or key holder to be held by hand when needed. The person can wear single finger aid for one finger or more for many fingers, providing that the extensions of the finger aids will fulfil different tasks in harmony.

The size of finger aid can be minimized to be applied over the fingertip as a smart artificial nail with tiny manual or automatic extensions which help the person achieve different daily functions, these extensions can be automatically sanitized after each use as well.

Finger aid can be made depending on this invention to facilitate routine daily tasks, and to provide an effective prevention of infectious diseases, Covid-19 for example. In addition, all the components can be easily manufactured with a low cost. Therefore, the finger aid introduce an innovative device to make the precaution and protection measures favorable, effective and easy for all people including children, geriatric and medically compromised patients.

Patent / CN211911797/

Patent /Kr 1020030021104/

Patent RU02280426

Patent CN205515454

Claims

Finger aid consists of
Extensions;
Sensors;
Electronic fingerprint;
Digital touch screen.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 characterized by different foldable extensions opened and closed manually or automatically to achieve many functions in harmony.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 or 2 wherein the extensions are mainly composed of two types with U shape; the first extension, located on the upper surface of the finger aid, is specialized for facial, neck and head functions, including but not limited to, adjusting the mask or eyeglasses over the nose, and removing them, The second one, located on the lower surface of the finger aid, is specialized to handle the surrounding objects, including but not limited to, press and activate computer and elevator buttons, ATM and card payment machines and digital touch screen, also open and close the door and control the lock.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the end of the extension can be curved, bent, twisted or rounded in order to easily control the surrounding objects.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the two ends of U-shape extension can be connected and released manually or automatically in order to form a tweezer which helps control and hold different items.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first or second extensions can be opened and controlled automatically and selectively by an electronic sensor, depending on hand position whether approaches the face or the surrounding objects respectively; then the extension will be automatically folded responding to the hand setback; this in turn will warn and train the person not to touch his face or the surrounding objects directly by hands.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 or 2 wherein More specialized extensions, taking different shapes similarly to the letters L, J, I or any other suitable shape, can be connected to any suitable place of the finger aid, and supported by electronic sensors controlling the opening and closing motion, angle, level, length and degree of extension in order to achieve different daily tasks professionally.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 7 characterized by an extension specialized for oral cavity taking different shapes, including but not limited to, toothpick or interdental toothbrush.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 7 characterized by an extension which contains pen or pencil end for writing and signing, or special tip for typing and controlling digital touch screens.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 7 characterized by an extension with magnet at the end which helps pull and control metal items; In addition, this magnetic extension can be used to greet others when contacts the opposite magnetic extension connected to finger aid of the front person.
Finger aid according to the claim 1, 2 or 7 characterized by an extension with a rubber end which vacuums the air when contacting the surrounding objects in order to control them, whereas the vacuum effect can be cancelled any time to release the item; In addition, this rubber extension can be used to greet others when contacts the opposite rubber extension connected to the finger aid of the front person.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 or 2 characterized by a special entrance compatible with the extension end in the closing position, and contains antiseptic material which can be refilled easily, ultraviolet light source, ultrasonic waves, or any other suitable disinfecting methods which keep the extensions clean and sterilized after each use to prevent transmission of infectious diseases.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 characterized by the presence of thermometer, electrocardiogram ECG, pulse oximeter, glucose monitor, sleeping tracker, noise dosimeter, distance sensor, altimeter, global positioning system GPS, and physical activity monitor; therefore, comprehensive health information can be recorded while doing physical exercises like swimming.
Finger aid according to the claims 1, 2 or 13 wherein control panel connected to digital touch screen with clock set on the finger aid, can be utilized to control the different extensions and functions; Moreover, comprehensive information regarding medical health status, finger aid efficacy, any malfunction, low battery or insufficient disinfectant level can be recorded and visibly seen on the screen with a suitable alarm; this information will be sent to mobile phone via Bluetooth or wireless network, thus the finger aid can also be controlled using cell phone.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 characterized by fingerprint reader located on the lower surface of the finger aid, the fingerprint information can be sent via Bluetooth, wireless network, or by a special electronic extension attached to the fingerprint reader and can be instantly connected to the fingerprint machine, this in turn will provide prevention of infectious diseases.
Finger aid according to the claims 1 or 2 wherein the finger aid and its extensions can be made of plastic, rubber, metal or any other suitable material, or combination between them, also can cover part of the finger with holes for skin breathing, or the whole finger with joints and ring added for the sake of comfort and stability; In addition, the finger aid can be composed of one or multiple layers, preferably impermeable to liquids but allow skin breathing at the same time.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 wherein its size can be modified and adjusted to fit any finger, or to be fixed over metal, wooden or plastic carrier or any other suitable holder, including but not limited to, key holder, pen or pencil to be held by hand when needed.
Finger aid according to the claims 1 or 2 wherein a single aid can be used for one finger, or more for many fingers, providing that the extensions of the finger aids will fulfil different tasks in harmony.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 wherein its size can be minimized to be applied over the fingertip as a smart artificial nail with tiny manual or automatic extensions, which help the person achieve different daily functions, these extensions can be automatically sanitized after each use as well.
Finger aid according to the claim 1 or 2 powered by battery, kinetic energy, solar energy, or combination between them, or any other suitable power sources.