DE202013104614U1 - Sensors for detecting the position of the fingers and toes - Google Patents

Abstract

Sensor system for detecting the position of the finger (2a, 2b, 2c) and toe members, characterized in that the sensor system comprises at least two sensors (1a, 1b) which are placed at least on finger (2a, 2b, 2c) or toe links.

Description

Technical area

 The present invention relates to a sensor for detecting the position of the finger and toe links on a human body, in particular for the orthopedic movement and angle measurement.

State of the art

For measuring the angle of the individual limbs of a finger or a toe simple, manual finger goniometer are used in the prior art, which can detect the range of movement of finger and toe joints, a protractor is provided with two movable arms, between which a scale is located to Winkelabelen. Goniometer have the disadvantage that they are cumbersome in their handling, imprecise and also error-prone, since the joint angles are measured individually with the goniometer and beyond each value has to be handwritten notes.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention is based on the object to provide a sensor which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and which is suitable to ensure a simple, accurate and error-free position detection of the finger and toe links of a human body in their handling.

 According to the invention the above object is achieved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features.

 Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the sensor system according to the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims.

 According to the invention, a sensor system of the type mentioned above is characterized in that it comprises at least two sensors which are placed at least on finger or toe links.

 In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least two sensors are arranged on a sensor tape or a sensor rail, which can be reversibly attached to the finger or on the toe and advantageously on the finger or Zehrücken. The sensors are preferably slidably mounted on the sensor tape or the sensor rail to detect different finger and toe sizes with the sensors mounted on the sensor tape or sensor rail.

 In a simple and inexpensive embodiment of the invention, the position detection of all joints of a finger is performed simultaneously by means of a sensor band or a sensor rail and sensors arranged thereon. For this purpose - preferably three - positions (finger / toe positions) are measured successively: extension (extension) / neutral / flexion (flexion). The measured angles are automatically stored in a database. To capture additional fingers or toes, the orthopedist can basically do without additional sensor bands or sensor bars, since the sensor band or the sensor rail can be easily changed from finger to finger or from toe to toe. Of course, this cost-effective design of the sensors can be extended to complete sensors with five contiguous sensor bands or sensor rails.

 The sensor tape or sensor rail is designed to provide quick and accurate maneuverability so that the application of the sensor tape or the sensor rail and the positioning of the sensors can be done optimally and quickly. Here is also taken into account that the application of the sensor band or the sensor rail can be uncomplicated even in patients with significant malposition of the fingers or toes. Even if it is difficult or impossible for the patient, e.g. To put on a glove, the sensor of the invention can be easily applied.

Brief description of the drawings

Other objects, features, advantages and applications of the sensor according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. All described and / or illustrated features, alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of the summary in individual claims or their dependency.

 In the drawings show

1 the sensors on a human hand in a lateral view;

2 a sensor tape or a sensor rail with sensors.

Embodiment of the invention

How out 1 As can be seen, the sensor according to the invention preferably comprises at least five sensors 1a . 1b . 1c . 1e . 1d , each one of the sensors 1a . 1b and another provided sensor 1c on a phalanx 2a . 2 B . 2c is placed and additional sensors 1e . 1d are provided, which on the back of the hand (sensor 2d ) as well as on the forearm 5 (Sensor 1e ) are placed. Likewise, in another embodiment, not shown, sensors may also be placed correspondingly on the instep and / or on the lower leg.

The sensors 1a . 1b and 1c are on a sensor tape 3 or a sensor rail 3 arranged, which is fixed on the finger back of the finger. The sensor band 3 or the sensor rail 3 is flexible and / or elastic designed and is preferably fixed by means of reversible fasteners on the back of the finger. At the in 1 illustrated sensors 1a . 1b . 1c For this purpose, in each case an additional position band may be provided for fixing in each case.

The complete sensor system advantageously comprises five sensor bands 3 or sensor rails 3 and a total of seventeen sensors.

Particularly advantageously, the sensor system comprises 3D gyroscope sensors, 3D acceleration sensors and 3D magnetometers, so that, for example, by means of the preferably used AHRS measuring system (Attitude Heading Reference System) each phalanx 2a . 2 B . 2c can be described in three-dimensional space. All solid angles recorded in parallel are saved and thus the movements of all phalanxes are recorded. The orthopedist can thus play the recorded values at any time and analyze any malpositions or movement restrictions.

For a hand 4 forty-two angles active and forty-two angles passive. Here, the sensor makes a significant time savings, a precise measurement of the joint angle and other advantages that are not given with a conventional goniometer.

The inventive sensor in connection with the illustrated evaluation for the orthopedic area of the orthopedist receives a visual, three-dimensional image of the hand 4 plus all relevant angles. The complete movement profile is recorded and can be played, analyzed and compared with previous examinations at any time. In addition, the recording can be completely rotated and subsequently examined from all sides. Motion measurement under load, whereby optical occlusions occur, can be carried out without restrictions with the sensors. Thus, the system gives the orthopedic surgeon new possibilities of analysis which are not possible with current methods. Furthermore, the movement restrictions and misalignments can be analyzed better, more accurately and more extensively than before.

 With the aid of the stored data in a database, the course of the healing process within the framework of a treatment per patient can be evaluated accurately and long-term by the attending physician or orthopedist. The resulting results are helpful for the development, construction and fine adjustment of orthoses and prostheses.

2 shows a sensor band 3 or a sensor rail 3 with three sensors 1a . 1b . 1c , How out 2 it can be seen on the sensor tape 3 or the sensor rail 3 front side advantageously a fingertip 3a for easy positioning of the sensor tape 3 or the sensor rail 3 intended. In a further embodiment, not shown, of the invention, on the sensor tape 3 or the sensor rail 3 also a toe tip for easy positioning of the sensor band 3 or the sensor rail 3 be provided

 The sensor according to the invention is not limited in its execution to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments. Rather, a variety of design variations are possible, which make use of the solution shown even with fundamentally different type of execution.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1a, 1b, 1c

Sensors on the phalanges

1d

Sensor on the back of the hand

1e

Sensor on the forearm

2a, 2b, 2c

phalanges

3

Sensor tape or sensor rail

3a

fingertip

4

hand

5

forearm

Claims (11)

Sensors for detecting the position of the finger ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) and phalanges, characterized in that the sensors at least two sensors ( 1a . 1b ), which at least at finger ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) or phalanges are placed. Sensor system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one further sensor ( 1c ) is provided. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one gyroscope sensor. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one acceleration sensor. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one magnetometer. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further sensor ( 1d ) is provided, which is placed on the back of the hand or the dorsum. Sensor system according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one further sensor ( 1e ) on the forearm ( 5 ) or placed on the lower leg. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two sensors ( 1a . 1b ) on a sensor tape ( 3 ) or a sensor rail ( 3 ), which can be attached to the finger or on the toe. Sensor system according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least two sensors ( 1a . 1b ) on the sensor tape ( 3 ) or the sensor rail ( 3 ) are preferably arranged displaceably. Sensor system according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that on the sensor tape ( 3 ) or the sensor rail ( 3 ) at the front a fingertip ( 3a ) or a toe tip is provided. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complete sensor system comprises five sensor bands ( 3 ) or sensor rails ( 3 ) and a total of seventeen sensors.

Images