IT201900019469A1 - HAND PHYSIOTHERAPY EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The invention relates to a hand physiotherapy apparatus, generally usable for the rehabilitation of the hand after trauma, pathology or surgery.

State of the art

In the medical-orthopedic field, there are known devices used for the rehabilitation of a patient's hand, and in particular of the fingers and joints of the hand, after the patient has suffered a trauma or surgery or has been affected by a pathology that , in all cases, they have reduced its functionality, both partial and total.

In particular, the main function that must be recovered is that of motility and grip of the palm and fingers, which involve the muscular system, the circulatory system, the skeletal system, the nerves and the tendons.

Typically, the structure of the hand is very complex and delicate and the restoration of its functionality requires constant physiotherapy that affects, both individually and synergistically, all the organs that compose it.

Patent US2019 / 0290527 discloses an exoskeleton for the rehabilitation of the limbs and hands of patients which comprises a basic structure and two support units for the limbs, one for the upper ones and one for the lower ones, supported on the base structure.

Each support unit is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the base structure.

The unit for the upper limbs has a series of interconnected and rotating elements respectively according to tridirectional axes.

The support unit for the lower limbs also comprises a series of interconnected elements rotating according to three-directional axes.

Both the upper and lower units are equipped with specific limb support elements and are driven in motion by respective motors, controlled by a programmable electronic unit.

The patient rests the limb, or limbs, on the relative supports and the exoskeleton makes them perform the cyclical movements necessary for the rehabilitation of the limbs.

From the Chinese patent CN109938963 an exoskeleton is known which is used for the specific rehabilitation of the hand. The exoskeleton substantially reproduces the shape of a hand and wrist and includes a series of mechanical fingers that extend from the wrist, also mechanical, which includes the moving parts of the mechanical fingers that can bend or stretch alternately and according to sequences programmable.

Each mechanical finger can be coupled to a corresponding finger of the patient's hand and the activation of the organs that move the mechanical fingers causes the fingers of the patient's hand to perform, and therefore also to the muscles, nerves, tendons, bone joints connected to them, all the physiologically necessary movements for their functional rehabilitation.

A device and a system for bilateral rehabilitation of the hand are known from patent US2019269962.

The device comprises a pair of grip elements which are coupled or fixed to each other and which are each equipped with an elongated finger grip element and a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective grip element, to move towards or from the gripping element and facilitating the gripping and releasing movements of the fingers in use.

The device further comprises a mechanism which allows the finger gripping elements to move asymmetrically, so that when one finger gripping element approaches the respective gripping element, the other gripping element moves away from the respective gripping element. .

This state of the art has some drawbacks.

A drawback is that the known devices for carrying out hand rehabilitation all have a very complex mechanical structure and, consequently, considerably expensive.

Furthermore, these mechanical structures are bulky and difficult to transport, even if mounted on wheels. Another drawback is that the devices known to perform hand rehabilitation are almost exclusively available in hospitals or clinics, both public and private, which oblige patients in need of rehabilitation therapies to arrange appointments with laboratories and medical professionals on dates in which to rehabilitation devices are available and to move from home on the fixed date to reach the places of therapy.

Aims of the invention

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks noted above by providing an apparatus for hand physiotherapy that is effective in use and easily transportable.

Another object of the invention is to realize an apparatus for hand physiotherapy that allows physiotherapy to be performed even at home. and, therefore, considerably cheaper and can also be purchased by individual patients for personal use.

According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for physiotherapy of the hand is provided, in accordance with the characteristics of claim 1.

The dependent claims protect detailed embodiments of the invention.

The invention allows to obtain the following advantages: to realize a hand physiotherapy apparatus which is simple, light, transportable and relatively cheap;

- create hand physiotherapy equipment that allows patients to purchase it for personal use;

create a hand physiotherapy equipment that has very small dimensions and that, therefore, when not used, can be kept in a small space;

to realize a hand physiotherapy equipment that can be powered in a conventional way with a domestic electrical network or autonomously with batteries or photovoltaic cells.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a hand physiotherapy apparatus, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 schematically show two phases of use of the hand physiotherapy apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of the inside of the box-like body of the apparatus of Figure 1, without the upper half-body;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1, without the complementary upper half-body;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 6, without the complementary upper half-body and according to a different observation point.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, 1 generally indicates an apparatus for physiotherapy of the hand, according to the invention, hereinafter referred to briefly as apparatus 1.

The apparatus 1, whose operation is managed by electronic means that can be programmed from time to time or pre-programmed during the construction phase, comprises a base frame which has the shape of a box-like body 2 inside which a compartment is defined in which the mechanical elements for the operation of the equipment are mounted 1.

In detail, the body 2 specifically has an external and positioning surface 3, facing upwards in the condition of use of the apparatus 1, which is shaped to allow the correct positioning of an arm B of a patient during the execution of the therapy. of rehabilitation.

In detail, as can be seen in the figures, the upper surface 3 forms a cradle 4 which is designed to receive the patient's arm B inside and keep it in the correct position for rehabilitation therapy.

The body 2 forms, on the opposite side to the upper surface 3, a lower surface 5 intended to rest on a surface, possibly equipped with feet 6, and, to connect the two surfaces 3 and 5 together and form the box-like body 2, the body 2 comprises a peripheral connection surface.

The box-like body 2, in the preferred embodiment, is formed by two half-bodies complementary to each other and precisely by a base half-body 7 and a complementary half-body 8 for upper closure.

The apparatus 1 comprises at least one slider 9 which is slidably mounted with reciprocating motion on / between sliding means 10 associated with the body 2 and which is equipped with grip means 11 which can be gripped with at least one hand M of a patient.

The slider 9 is driven by reciprocating motion back and forth with actuation means 12 which are powered by power supply means, not shown because they are known to the skilled person, which may comprise a conventional power supply network or a rechargeable battery, to make the appliance 1 can also be used in the absence of an electrical power supply.

As can be seen in the figures, in the preferred embodiment version of the apparatus 1 intended for the physiotherapy of a single hand M, the cursor 9 is single, but, if required, a second cursor could also be provided, arranged inside the body 2 parallel to the cursor. 9, for performing physiotherapy of both hands.

The slider 9 comprises an extension element 13 which has a proximal end 13A fixed to the slider 9 and an opposite distal end 13B protruding from the perimeter surface of the body 2, through an opening 14 obtained in this, precisely in the part 2F considered to be the front of the body 2.

On the distal end 13B of the extension element 13 are fixed the handle means 11 which, in the preferred embodiment, comprise a straight and cylindrical bar 15, which is fixed transversely to the extension element 13 and which can be gripped with the hand M, precisely closing the fingers on it.

In detail, the slider 9 comprises a slide 16 which is slidably mounted on the sliding means 10 and a plate 17 which is fixed on the slide 11 with fixing means, for example screws 18, and which supports the extension element 13, the which, in the specific case, forms a single body with the plate 17.

The drive means 12 comprise at least one drive motor assembly 19 which can be, for example, a single / double-acting linear motor which has a rod attached to the plate 17, or

The motor unit 19 rotates at least one worm screw 20 which is cantilevered associated with the motor unit 19 and which is rotatably driven alternately right or left-handed.

The worm 20 is engaged in a corresponding hollow seat 21 which is provided with an internal thread and which is obtained in the plate 17 and partly also in the extension element 13, in a coaxial position to the worm 20.

The sliding means 10 comprise a guide 22 which is fixed in the base half-body 8 and on which the slider 9 is engaged.

The sliding means 10 also comprise a pair of parallel and vertical walls 23 between which the plate 17 is slidingly guided.

The operation of the invention is as follows: the patient who needs a therapeutic treatment of rehabilitation of the hand, places the arm B in the cradle 4 of the upper surface 3 of the apparatus 1, assuming and maintaining a specific and optimal position for the correct execution of the therapy.

With the fingers of the hand, he grasps the bar 15 which, at the beginning of the therapeutic treatment, is arranged in a retracted position towards the front part 2F of the box-like body 2.

When the therapy begins, the motor unit 19 is activated which rotates the worm screw 20 which, being engaged in the thread of the hollow seat 21, progressively unscrews from it and, unable to move axially, pushes the extension element 13 which slides by dragging the slide 16 with it.

The latter slides guided on the guide 22 and the extension element 13 moves progressively towards the outside of the body 2, passing through the opening 14 and moving the distal end 13B away from the front part 2F.

During the displacement of the extension element 13, the patient's arm B remains stationary inside the cradle 4, so that the fingers of the hand M are forced to extend to follow the movement of the bar 15 up to the maximum extension of the distal end 13B beyond opening 14.

When the maximum extension is reached, the motor unit 19 reverses its direction of rotation and the worm screw 20, by reversing its direction of rotation, is screwed into the hollow seat 21, recalling the extension element 13 and the slide 16 on the which this is fixed.

The bar 15 returns towards the front part 2F of the body 2, until the screwing of the worm screw 20 into the hollow seat 21 is such as to bring it into a position contiguous to the front part 2F.

In this position, the patient can again bend the fingers of the hand and close them on the bar 15.

This sequence is repeated cyclically for a predetermined number of times for each therapeutic session and the alternating movement of the fingers that stretch and close, allows the progressive rehabilitation of the grip function.

The skilled person understands that the speed of rotation of the motor unit 19, and therefore of the worm 20 and the speed of the movements of the bar 15, are adjustable according to the therapeutic needs and according to the recovery stages of the patient's hand functionality.

It should be emphasized that the motor unit 19, worm 20 and hollow seat 21 assembly can also be replaced by a single or double-acting linear motor, such as, for example, a cylinder interposed between the body 2 and the extension 13.

During displacements, the extension element 13, in addition to the guide 22, is kept sliding in a guided manner also by the walls 23 between which the plate 17 which is integral with the slide 16 slides.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended purposes.

The invention as conceived is susceptible of modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practical embodiment, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements, without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the following claims.

Claims (10)

R IV E N D I CA Z I O N I 1. An apparatus (1) for physiotherapy of the hand (M) characterized in that it includes: - a base frame (2); - at least one slider (9) which is mounted sliding with reciprocating motion on / between sliding means (10) associated with said base frame (2) and which is equipped with grip means (11) which can be gripped with at least one hand (M ); - actuation means (12) for reciprocating forward and backward motion of said at least one slider (9); And - means for feeding said actuation means (12). The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises programmable electronic means for controlling said actuation means (12). The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base frame shapes a box-like body (2) inside which said slider (9) and said sliding means (10) are mounted and which defines: a shaped external surface (3) of guided reception of an arm (B) of a patient, - a resting surface (5) on a plane opposite to said external shaped surface (3); And - a perimeter surface which connects said support surfaces (5) and shaped surface (3) to each other. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one slider (9) comprises an extension element (13) which has a proximal end (13A) fixed to said at least one slider (9) and an opposite end distal end (13B) protruding from said perimeter surface through an opening (14) obtained therein, said handle means (11) being fixed on said distal end (13B). 5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle means comprise a bar (11) fixed transversely to said extension element (13) and graspable by at least one hand (M). The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said box-like body (2) comprises a base half-body (8) and a complementary closing half-body (7). 7. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one slider (9) comprises: - a slide (16) slidably mounted on said sliding means (10); - a plate (17) fixed on said slide (16) with fixing means (18) and which supports said extension element (13). 8. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said actuation means comprise: at least one rotating drive motor assembly (19); - at least one worm screw (20) associated in cantilever mode with said motor unit (19) and rotatably operated alternatively right-handed or left-handed; - at least one hollow seat (21) provided with a thread engaged by said endless screw (20) and obtained in said extension element (13) coaxial to said worm (20). The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said actuation means comprise at least a single / double effect linear motor (19) which has a rod (20) constrained to said extension element (13). 10. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sliding means comprise: - a guide (22) fixed in said base half-body (8) and on which said at least one slider (9) is engaged; And - a pair of parallel walls (23) between which said plate (17) slides.