WO2022260638A2

WO2022260638A2 - A handgrip meter

Info

Publication number: WO2022260638A2
Application number: PCT/TR2022/050548
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sezer ULUKAYA; Yasemin TEKDAL; İlayda YILMAZ; Hilal KEKLİCEK
Original assignee: Trakya Universitesi Rektorlugu
Priority date: 2021-06-10
Filing date: 2022-06-09
Publication date: 2022-12-15
Also published as: WO2022260638A3; TR2021009555A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a handgrip meter that collects information about how this capability is realized, how the generated strength is distributed, and about which area of the hand contributes to what extent minimum and/or maximum strength generation during the realization of the grip capability, and that can be customizable and does not change the person's natural grip style.

Description

A HANDGRIP METER

Technical Field of the Invention

State of Art of the Invention (Prior Art)

The grip force and form depend on factors such as age, gender, height, body weight, presence of disease, and progression of this disease or disability over time. Except for the scale forms used with observation, especially in infants and children, no method can perform an objective measurement. When looked at from the adult viewpoint, there exist devices that measure the grip force, however, these devices do not provide information about the grip form. The form in which the generated power is provided is essential in the improvement or follow-up of hand functions. Because the hand has a multi-articulated structure and sub-equipment that can produce many different functions such as writing, playing the piano, carrying a bag and bricking up. In consideration of a wide range of movements that can be performed by hand, it is clear that strength generation only in certain positions is not sufficient for a hand function to be realized and executed deliberately. The strength generated for deliberate movement must be transferred from the appropriate parts of the hand with appropriate contact areas and grip forms. Effective determination of methods such as rehabilitation, surgery or activity modification to be used in the follow-up of patients or disabled individuals and objective examination of the results thereof are possible with a detailed examination of handgrip capabilities.

The handgrip force measurements could be carried out with pneumatic (aerial), hydraulic, mechanical and strain gauges. The measurement depends on a specific grip form. It does not describe the pressure/contact areas during gripping and the strength generated by these contact areas. For this reason, it does not provide information about how and which parts of the hand reveal the resulting force. In addition, such measuring devices are high in price, and also are not as sufficient as digital sensors in terms of sensitivity. Hydraulic Dynamometers: measure the strength in pounds or kilograms. One of the hydraulic tools, the ‘Jamar Dynamometer’ is a static grip force measurement tool. (Innes E. Handgrip strength testing: A review of the literature. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 1999;46: 120-140) Pneumatic Dynamometers: These tools describe gripping with an air-filled bulb. These tools are generally used by people with painful or svelte hands. These tools contain a modified sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor). These tools measure grip pressure rather than grip force. We can conclude that more pressure will be applied in cases with a small surface area compared to the areas with a large surface area. These tools measure the force in pounds or millimetres (Innes E. Handgrip strength testing: A review of the literature. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 1999;46: 120- 140) Tensiometers: Tensiometers usually measure the strength in Newton. (Innes E. Handgrip strength testing: A review of the literature. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 1999;46: 120-140). Mechanical Dynamometers: Considering the mechanical tools, they measure the grip force based on the amount of tension created by a steel spring (Innes E. Handgrip strength testing: A review of the literature. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 1999;46: 120-140).

The devices described above are used for adults. They cannot record the child or baby’s hands. Due to their mechanical and static structures, their measurement sensitivity is very low and they cannot measure the handgrip force of a child numerically. In addition, the said devices cannot go out of the grip form designed for them and do not take into account the individual differences in the grip style. In addition, these devices only measure the total force generated by the person and do not provide information about which part of the hand generates force and how much force is released. For this reason, information on the sub-components of the total grip strength obtained by the person's hand and the distribution of the force by the areas cannot be obtained. One of the most important drawbacks of the devices is that they only measure the maximum force generated by effort and they do not provide information about the minimum strength generation during the simple/basic grip. In addition, they are devices that do not have a patient education feature and can only perform measurements. These devices cannot also record the measurement sequences required for monitoring the progress of patients.

Summary and Objects of the Invention

The invention relates to a handgrip meter that collects information about how this capability is realized, how the generated strength is distributed, and about which area of the hand contributes to what extent strength generation during the realization of the grip capability.

As described in detail above, the main problem aimed to be solved with the present invention is to collect information about how this capability is realized, how the generated strength is distributed, and about which area of the hand contributes to what extent strength generation during the realization of the grip capability.

Another object of this invention is to develop a device that can measure and record objective handgrip capabilities in infants and children, by complying with the principles described above.

To list the differences and advantages of the device of the present invention:

It frees the user on the grip form: In the existing grip meter devices, the sections into which the individuals will place their fingers are defined. However, the grip form may vary from person to person in case of diseases. For example, it is also possible for an individual with hand contractions to overlap their fingers during gripping and even be unable to place some of their fingers on the device. In such a case, the existing devices measure by changing the primary grip form used by the person by placing the individual's fingers in specific areas. Therefore, even if it measures the average/maximum strength, it cannot provide information about the grip capability in natural conditions as it changes the grip style of the person. Our device does not guide the person's fingers for gripping. All the person needs to do is touch the measuring surface by using the daily natural grip style. Thus, our device can separately document how the fingers, together with their articulations, and the palm participate in the gripping function. In other words, it does not measure for a modified or guided grip. It provides information about how the person performs her/his own grip form, which part of the hand produces the relevant strength by contacting which areas and to what extent. Also, as it does not guide the fingers of the person, it can be used in different hand sizes. Due to the difference in hand sizes, grips measured by placing in slots/flat surfaces in the device are insufficient to provide information about the actual grip form, and also, will force parts of the hand to generate strength in certain positions. This may provide misleading information about which part of the hand and how much strength is generated. The surface of the device of the invention does not have any slots or flat surfaces where the fingers of the person are directed. The person can realize the natural spherical-like gripping in the way one uses in daily life.

The sensor technology in the handgrip meter device of this invention is not surface- dependent. It allows the collection of information about different types of daily grip forms by laying on different surfaces. Due to the used new-generation sensor technology, it is possible to manufacture device/measurement surfaces in customizable hand, finger and palm sizes. Elastic sensor technology can be applied to different surfaces. Due to this feature, our device is suitable for development, renewal and diversification.

The device of the present invention can also provide information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions. Due to the minimum contact and strength detection feature of the device, it is sufficient for the person to grasp the device with his/her hand to obtain information about the grip form and force of the individual. The person who will perform the measurement optionally can guide the person who is measured to apply the highest strength. However, it is a device that can collect information about the grip form, especially in diseases where communication is difficult or in infants whose language structure has not yet developed. The device, which can measure the minimum force applied only by contacting the surface and holding the device, is not present in the state of the art. In this aspect, the grip meter of the invention is completely different from other existing grip meters: It can measure the minimum force to realize the grip and the maximum force, and in infants who have not yet developed the ability to take commands (to take directions) or in diseases where the ability to understand language is lost, it can collect information about the grip form of the person even by simply holding the sensor area of the device and about the map of minimum and maximum force applied to the different areas of the hand while revealing this grip. With the development of the handgrip device; By measuring the pressure exerted by the articulations of the fingers and the palm separately, it is allowed to access to very detailed numerical and recordable information about the grip, In order to observe the gripping process, grip graphs are drawn for individual regions according to the determined and adjusted time, and thus the force applied in the grip can be observed in detail, The data of grip force variation of each region over time is recorded and it can be examined again when requested on detailed graphs to assist the experts, Since simultaneous graphs can be obtained during the force generation, it can also be used in the training of individuals' gripping abilities through visual feedback, In order for the device to generate a force report, only enough strength is applied to hold the device, and information about the maximum strength generation can be obtained, Expandable and downsizable circular warnings are created for the palm and fingers depending on the grip strength by looking at the hand prototype of the patient or the user, and with this output, whether the grip is at the desired level is visualized and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe, The led lights placed on the device variation color according to the level of grip, and thus assistive visual information is provided to the experts, It is portable and small, It can be used in different age groups.

Definitions of Figures Illustrating the Invention

The figures prepared for a better understanding of the handgrip meter developed with the present invention are explained below.

Figure 1: a perspective view of the handgrip meter Figure 2: Front view of visual interface unit Figure 3: Finger grip graphs in visual interface unit

Definitions of Elements and Parts Forming the Invention The parts and elements of the handgrip device developed with this invention are individually numbered and listed below.

1 Micro-controller

2 Chamber

3 Cylindrical Handle

4 Thumb Sensor

5 Thumb RGB Led

6 Four Fingers RGB Led

7 Index Finger Sensor

8 Middle Finger Sensor

9 Ring Finger Sensor

10 Little Finger Sensor

11 RGB Led

12 Visual Warning for Palm

13 Visual Warning for Thumb

14 Visual Warning for Index Finger

15 Visual Warning for Middle Finger

16 Visual Warning for Ring Finger

17 Visual Warning for Little Finger

18 Hand Prototype

19 Visual Interface Unit

20 Visual Graph for Thumb

21 Visual Graph for Index Finger

22 Visual Graph for Middle Finger

23 Visual Graph for Ring Finger

24 Visual Graph for Little Finger

25 Visual Graph for Palm

26 Region Detail Graph

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention relates to a handgrip meter that collects information about how this capability is realized, how the generated strength is distributed, and about which area of the hand contributes to what extent strength generation during the realization of the grip capability.

The handgrip meter includes micro-controller (1). The micro-controller is a processor. The micro-controller (1) processes the data according to certain parameters, establishes the relationship between all units of the system and provides coordination.

Cylindrical handle (3): It is a cylindrical and rigid unit and has the sensors and leds thereon. The gripping movement of the person is carried out by this handle. It helps to position the sensors according to the shape of the hand. Due to the used new generation sensor technology, it is possible to manufacture device/measurement surfaces in customizable hand, finger (with articulations thereof) and palm sizes. Since it does not guide the person's fingers about the grip form, it can be used in different hand sizes. It also provides information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions.

Chamber (4): It provides precise gripping by supporting the cylindrical structure, maintaining the micro-controller (1) and associated cable connections. In an embodiment of the invention, the said chamber (4) has a rectangular structure.

In the present invention, there are 5 sensors, the thumb sensor (4), the index finger sensor (7), the middle finger sensor (8), the ring finger sensor (9) and the little finger sensor (10). The said sensors provide a numerical measurement of the force by measuring the applied force precisely. Unlike ready-made sensors (Force sensitive resistor (FSR)), these sensors are in the form of a sensor film that allows the sensor to be formed in the desired size and shape.

Thumb sensor (4): With the sensor, the variation of pressure and force created by the thumb (with its articulations) is measured and transmitted to the relevant micro-controller (1). It provides a numerical measurement of the force by precisely measuring the minimum/maximum applied force. Unlike ready-made sensors (Force sensitive resistor (FSR)), the sensor can be formed in the desired size and shape specifically for the person and age group. Since it does not guide the person's fingers about the grip form, it can be used in different hand sizes. It also provides information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions. Index finger sensor (7): With the sensor, the variation of pressure and force created by the index finger (with its articulations) is measured and transmitted to the relevant micro controller. It provides a numerical measurement of the force by precisely measuring the minimum/maximum applied force. Unlike ready-made sensors (Force sensitive resistor (FSR)), the sensor can be formed in the desired size and shape specifically for the person and age group. Since it does not guide the person's fingers about the grip form, it can be used in different hand sizes. It also provides information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions.

Middle finger sensor (8): With the sensor, the variation of pressure and force created by the middle finger (with its articulations) is measured and transmitted to the relevant micro controller (1). It provides a numerical measurement of the force by precisely measuring the minimum/maximum applied force. Unlike ready-made sensors (Force sensitive resistor (FSR)), the sensor can be formed in the desired size and shape specifically for the person and age group. Since it does not guide the person's fingers about the grip form, it can be used in different hand sizes. It also provides information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions.

Ring finger sensor (9): With the sensor, the variation of pressure and force created by the ring finger (with its articulations) is measured and transmitted to the relevant micro-controller (1). It provides a numerical measurement of the force by precisely measuring the minimum/maximum applied force. Unlike ready-made sensors (Force sensitive resistor (FSR)), the sensor can be formed in the desired size and shape specifically for the person and age group. Since it does not guide the person's fingers about the grip form, it can be used in different hand sizes. It also provides information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions.

Little finger sensor (10): With the sensor, the variation of pressure and force created by the little finger (with its articulations) is measured and transmitted to the relevant micro-controller (1). It provides a numerical measurement of the force by precisely measuring the minimum/maximum applied force. Unlike ready-made sensors (Force sensitive resistor (FSR)), the sensor can be formed in the desired size and shape specifically for the person and age group. Since it does not guide the person's fingers about the grip form, it can be used in different hand sizes. It also provides information about the gripping features of infants (0-6 years old) and individuals who cannot take directions.

Thumb RGB Led (5): It is an electronic circuit element that can change color according to the force/pressure variation in the thumb sensor (4). While the led gives a green light for healthy grip, they give a visual warning by emitting red light for the whole or part of the finger having grip loss.

Four Fingers RGB Led (6): It is an electronic circuit element that can change color according to the average of the force/pressure variation in the sensor of the remaining four fingers except for the thumb. While the led gives a green light for healthy grip, they give a visual warning by emitting red light for the whole or part of the fingers having grip loss.

RGB Led (11): It is an electronic circuit element that can change color according to the average of the force/pressure variation created by the middle part (palm) of the hand except for the fingers and the regions where the fingers are connected to the palm. While the led gives green light for a healthy grip, they give a visual warning by emitting red light for the whole or part of the palm having grip loss.

Visual warning for palm (12): It creates visual circular warnings that can expand and downsize for the palm and the regions where the fingers are connected to the palm according to the minimum/maximum grip force by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users (including infants aged 0-6 years) which we determined with a software. With this visual warning, it can be visualized whether the grip is at the desired level and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe.

Visual warning for thumb (13): It creates visual circular warnings that can expand and downsize for the thumb and its articulations according to the minimum/maximum grip strength by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users which we determined with a software. With this visual warning, it can be visualized whether the grip is at the desired level and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe.

Visual warning for index finger (14): It creates visual circular warnings that can expand and downsize for the index finger and its articulations according to the minimum/maximum grip strength by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users which we determined with a software. With this visual warning, it can be visualized whether the grip is at the desired level and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe.

Visual warning for middle finger (15): It creates visual circular warnings that can expand and downsize for the middle finger and its articulations according to the minimum/maximum grip strength by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users which we determined with a software. With this visual warning, it can be visualized whether the grip is at the desired level and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe.

Visual warning for ring finger (16): It creates visual circular warnings that can expand and downsize for the ring finger and its articulations according to the minimum/maximum grip strength by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users which we determined with a software. With this visual warning, it can be visualized whether the grip is at the desired level and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe.

Visual warning for little finger (17): It creates visual circular warnings that can expand and downsize for the little finger and its articulations according to the minimum/maximum grip strength by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users which we determined with a software. With this visual warning, it can be visualized whether the grip is at the desired level and it is made available to the clinicians/experts to observe.

Hand prototype (18): It is a hand visual prototype that can also be used in the training of individuals' minimum/maximum gripping abilities via visual feedback with the circles that can expand and downsize, which allows access to very detailed numerical and recordable information about the grip by measuring the pressure exerted by the fingers (with their articulations) and the palm separately.

Visual Interface Unit (19): It is a visual interface unit that makes the expandable and downsizable circular warnings graphically readable for the palm and fingers (with their articulations) according to the grip strength by examining the hand prototype of the patients or the users, which we determined with a software. Visual graph for the thumb (20): Gripping graphs are drawn for the thumb and its articulations according to the time determined and adjusted to observe the gripping process. Thus, the variation of the force applied in the grip over time can be observed by being converted into very detailed numerical and recordable information.

Visual graph for index finger (21): Gripping graphs are drawn for the index finger and its articulations according to the time determined and adjusted to observe the gripping process. Thus, the variation of the force applied in the grip over time can be observed by being converted into very detailed numerical and recordable information.

Visual graph for middle finger (22): Gripping graphs are drawn for the middle finger and its articulations according to the time determined and adjusted to observe the gripping process. Thus, the variation of the force applied in the grip over time can be observed by being converted into very detailed numerical and recordable information.

Visual graph for ring finger (23): Gripping graphs are drawn for the ring finger and its articulations according to the time determined and adjusted to observe the gripping process. Thus, the variation of the force applied in the grip over time can be observed by being converted into very detailed numerical and recordable information.

Visual graph for little finger (24): Gripping graphs are drawn for the little finger and its articulations according to the time determined and adjusted to observe the gripping process. Thus, the variation of the force applied in the grip over time can be observed by being converted into very detailed numerical and recordable information.

Visual graph for palm (25): Gripping graphs are drawn for the palm and the regions where the fingers are connected to the palm according to the time determined and adjusted to observe the gripping process. Thus, the variation of the force applied in the grip over time can be observed by being converted into very detailed numerical and recordable information.

Region Detail Graph (26): The variation of the grip force data of each region over time is recorded and it can be examined again when requested on detailed graphs to assist the experts. Thus, the minimum/maximum force applied in the grip can be observed in detail. Memory Unit: It stores the obtained data and records its variations over time.

Claims

1. A handgrip meter that collects information about how this capability is realized, how the generated strength is distributed, and about which area of the hand contributes to what extent minimum and maximum strength generation during the realization of the grip capability, and that can be customizable and does not change the person's natural grip style, characterized in that it comprises

• the micro-controller (1), which provides the relationship and coordination between all units of the system that processes the data according to certain parameters,

• The cylindrical handle (3), which helps to position the sensors and leds according to the shape of the hand carrying them,

• The chamber (4), which provides precise gripping by supporting the cylindrical structure and maintaining the micro-controller (1) and cable connections,

• The thumb sensor (4) with a structure in the form of film, which measures the variation of pressure and force created by the thumb (with its articulations) and transmits it to the micro-controller (1),

• The index finger sensor (7) with a structure in the form of film, which measures the variation of pressure and force created by the index finger (with its articulations) and transmits it to the micro-controller (1),

• The middle finger sensor (8) with a structure in the form of film, which measures the variation of pressure and force created by the middle finger (with its articulations) and transmits it to the micro-controller (1),

• The ring finger sensor (9) with a structure in the form of film, which measures the variation of pressure and force created by the ring finger (with its articulations) and transmits it to the micro-controller (1),

• The little finger sensor (10) with a structure in the form of film, which measures the variation of pressure and force created by the little finger (with its articulations) and transmits it to the micro-controller (1),

• The thumb RGB led (5) which can change color according to the force/pressure variation in the thumb sensor (4), in which the led gives green light for a healthy grip, while it gives a visual warning by emitting red light for the whole or part of the finger having grip loss,

• The four fingers RGB led (6) that can change color according to the force/pressure variation in the sensor of the four fingers except for the thumb, in which the led gives green light for a healthy grip, while it gives a visual warning by emitting red light for the whole or part of the finger having grip loss,

• The RGB led (11) that can change color according to the average of the force/pressure variation created by the middle part (palm) of the hand, except for the fingers, and the regions where the fingers are connected to the palm, in which the led gives green light for a healthy grip, while it gives a visual warning by emitting red light for the whole or part of the palm having grip loss,

• The visual interface unit (19), in which the variation of grip force data of each region of the hand of the patients or the users over time can be examined again when desired and made graphically readable over detailed graphs,

• The memory unit, which stores the obtained data and records the variations over time.

2. A handgrip meter according to Claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (4) has a rectangular structure.